🚨 EXPLOSIVE NEW REVELATION: Alex Pretti wasn’t just randomly targeted—he had a violent run-in with federal agents JUST DAYS before they shot him dead 😱💥

Sources now confirm: About a week earlier, while observing ICE chasing what he believed was a family, Pretti pulled over, started shouting and blowing his whistle to alert others… and five agents tackled him to the ground.

One allegedly leaned on his back—SNAP—broken rib.

He thought he was going to di-e that day.

And now? Leaked X-ray images of his fractured rib are circulating online, showing the painful injury he carried into that fatal Minneapolis confrontation.

Full details:

New details have emerged regarding 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents on January 24, 2026, revealing that he sustained a broken rib in a physical encounter with federal immigration officers approximately one week earlier, according to sources cited by CNN and other outlets.

The earlier incident reportedly occurred when Pretti stopped his vehicle after observing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents pursuing what he described as a family on foot. Pretti began shouting and blowing a whistle to draw attention, prompting five federal officers to tackle him to the ground. A source told CNN that one agent leaned on Pretti’s back during the restraint, resulting in a fractured rib. Pretti later expressed to the source that he believed he might die during the encounter but was released at the scene without arrest.

Medical records reviewed by CNN indicated that Pretti received medication consistent with treatment for a broken rib following the altercation. No official confirmation from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been provided regarding the incident, with a DHS spokesperson stating the department has “no record of this incident” when questioned by multiple news organizations.

The revelation adds context to Pretti’s fatal shooting, which occurred amid heightened protests against federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. Bystander videos from the January 24 event show Pretti recording agents with his cellphone before a physical struggle ensued. Agents wrestled him to the ground, removed a 9mm handgun from his waistband, and fired multiple shots—up to 10 according to some analyses—shortly thereafter. DHS maintains the use of force was in self-defense after Pretti approached armed and resisted disarming.

Pretti, a registered nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, held a valid Minnesota permit to carry a concealed firearm and had no criminal record, as confirmed by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. His family and supporters have disputed the official account, pointing to video evidence showing Pretti’s hands visible and empty (one holding a phone) during initial contact, with the weapon only appearing after he was pinned.

The prior rib injury has fueled speculation about whether federal agents recognized Pretti from the earlier encounter. Reports indicate DHS had been collecting information on protesters and “agitators” in Minneapolis, including through a memo instructing officers to document details such as images, license plates, and identifications. It remains unclear if Pretti’s information was entered into any such system or if agents involved in the shooting were aware of his prior interaction.

Pretti’s activities aligned with widespread community opposition to the federal surge of immigration enforcement personnel in the state, ordered under the Trump administration. The deployment followed earlier incidents, including the January 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent. Protests had drawn thousands, with participants documenting operations and advocating for those targeted.

Colleagues and family described Pretti as a dedicated caregiver who transitioned from research to frontline nursing to assist veterans directly. He was remembered for his compassion, including a 2024 video in which he delivered a final salute and tribute to a deceased Air Force veteran at the VA facility. That footage resurfaced after his death, amplifying tributes to his character.

The broken rib allegation has intensified scrutiny of federal tactics during protests. Sources and medical experts note that rib fractures can result from significant force during restraint, often causing severe pain and requiring pain management medication. Pretti reportedly carried this injury into subsequent demonstrations, though no evidence suggests it directly contributed to the fatal encounter.

Investigations into both the January 24 shooting and the alleged prior incident continue. The FBI and Homeland Security Investigations are involved in reviewing the shooting, including body-worn camera footage from agents and bystander videos. Preliminary reports from Customs and Border Protection have not referenced Pretti attacking officers or threatening with a weapon prior to restraint, contrasting with initial DHS statements.

State and local officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have called for transparency and accountability, questioning why federal agents were relocated and why details such as agent identities have not been shared with state authorities. Protests and vigils have continued across Minneapolis and other cities, with health care workers, unions, and veterans’ groups expressing solidarity.

The American Federation of Government Employees and other labor organizations have highlighted Pretti’s service to veterans while criticizing what they describe as aggressive enforcement tactics. National groups like National Nurses United have labeled aspects of the operations a public health concern.

DHS and Border Patrol have defended their actions, emphasizing officer safety during high-risk enforcement operations. The National Border Patrol Council has attributed increased confrontations to inflammatory rhetoric from politicians and media.

Pretti’s family has rejected characterizations of their son as a threat, describing him as a “kindhearted soul” motivated by concern for vulnerable individuals and outrage over enforcement practices. They have called for independent review of all evidence, including any prior documentation of Pretti by federal agencies.

The emergence of the rib fracture report—supported by reviewed medical records—has prompted renewed debate over use of force, protester surveillance, and the intersection of First Amendment activities with law enforcement operations. No public release of X-ray images has been confirmed by major outlets, though references to the injury appear in reporting based on sources and records.

As the case develops, it underscores broader tensions in Minneapolis over immigration policy implementation. For Pretti’s coworkers at the VA, the focus remains on his legacy of care, now juxtaposed against the injuries he reportedly sustained while observing federal actions.

The full circumstances of both encounters await further investigation and potential release of additional evidence, including bodycam video and any internal DHS records related to protester documentation.