The family of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse who was shot and killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis in January, is demanding accountability, saying they want those responsible for his death to face justice.
In their first television interview since Pretti’s death, his parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, and his sister, Micayla Pretti, spoke with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos about the shooting and their son’s final moments.
“We’ve seen what happened. The videos are pretty clear. But we want justice. We want accountability for the people that did this to Alex,” Michael Pretti said.
READ: ICE acting director to step down; calls Good and Pretti ‘domestic terrorists’ (April 17, 2026)
Pretti, an American citizen and ICU nurse who worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs, was killed on January 24 during the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. His death came about two weeks after Renee Good, another U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by an ICE officer in the city. The shootings triggered protests and widespread demands for greater accountability over the use of force by federal immigration officers.
According to ABC News, eyewitness video showed Pretti appearing to record the immigration activity when a federal officer shoved a woman into him. Pretti appeared to try to help her before officers wrestled him to the ground.
The footage showed Pretti holding a phone in one hand while his other hand was raised, apparently attempting to protect himself from pepper spray. His firearm, which he was legally permitted to carry, was removed by an officer while he was on the ground before approximately 10 shots were fired, ABC News reported.
For his parents, the most painful part came when they learned their son had been shot. Susan Pretti said she recognized her son’s jacket and sunglasses while watching television coverage of the shooting.
READ: New videos complicate federal narrative in Minneapolis shooting (January 25, 2026)
“That’s how we found out, watching it on TV. Watching our son be shot ten times on TV,” Michael Pretti said. “In the back,” Susan added.
Michael said his son cared deeply about Minneapolis and the people living there. “He cared deeply about his community. Minneapolis was his community. He wanted people to be treated fairly, no matter what walk of life, what their background was,” he said.
The family has continued to seek answers over the circumstances of Pretti’s death. They have characterized the shooting as the killing of their son and have called for those responsible to be held accountable.
The interview comes months after Pretti’s death as questions surrounding the federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis continue to fuel political and legal debate. ABC News reported that the Pretti family spoke with Stephanopoulos as part of its first exclusive television interview with the family.