MINNEAPOLIS – In a city grappling with the impacts of federal immigration policies, a tragic incident unfolded as a federal officer fatally shot a Minneapolis man known for his dedication to caring for others. The victim, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, was an intensive care nurse at the Veterans Administration, deeply invested in his community’s well-being and troubled by the stringent immigration measures under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Pretti, aged 37, was more than just a nurse; he was an adventurous spirit who relished outdoor activities alongside Joule, his cherished Catahoula Leopard dog, who had also recently passed. His commitment to social justice led him to join protests sparked by the death of Renee Good, another victim of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer earlier this month.

“Alex had a profound concern for people, and the developments in Minneapolis and across the nation regarding ICE deeply disturbed him, as they do for millions,” expressed his father, Michael Pretti. “He saw participating in protests as a way to manifest his empathy for others.”

Born in Illinois, Alex was a U.S. citizen, much like Renee Good. Court documents revealed a clean record, corroborated by his family’s account that his only brushes with law enforcement were minor traffic violations.

In light of recent tensions, Alex’s parents, residing in Wisconsin, had urged him to exercise caution during his involvement in protests, reflecting a shared concern for his safety amid the city’s volatile environment.

“We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically,” Michael Pretti said. “And he said he knows that. He knew that.”

The Department of Homeland Security said that the man was shot after he “approached” U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun. Officials did not specify if Pretti brandished the gun, and it is not visible in bystander video of the shooting obtained by The Associated Press.

Family members said Pretti owned a handgun and had a permit to carry a concealed handgun in Minnesota. They said they had never known him to carry it.

The family first learned of the shooting when they were called by an Associated Press reporter. They watched the video and said the man killed appeared to be their son. They then tried reaching out to officials in Minnesota.

“I can’t get any information from anybody,” Michael Pretti said Saturday. “The police, they said call Border Patrol, Border Patrol’s closed, the hospitals won’t answer any questions?”

Eventually, the family called the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, who they said confirmed had a body matching the name and description of their son.

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Biesecker reported from Washington and Mustian from New York.