Minneapolis, Minnesota – February 5, 2026 – A sworn statement from a local physician who witnessed the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti and attempted to render medical aid has intensified scrutiny over federal agents’ actions following the January 24 incident, with claims that officers prioritized documenting wounds over life-saving measures.
The unnamed 29-year-old pediatrician, who lives near the scene on Nicollet Avenue, detailed in court filings how they observed the confrontation from their apartment window. According to the testimony, Pretti was yelling at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Border Patrol agents but “did not see him attack the agents or brandish a weapon of any kind.” After agents pepper-sprayed and tackled Pretti—following his attempt to assist a woman shoved to the ground—the doctor rushed downstairs to help.
The physician stated they were initially blocked by federal agents from approaching Pretti, despite insisting on their right and professional obligation as a licensed doctor to assess him. Once allowed access, the doctor described finding Pretti positioned on his side in what they called an “abnormal condition” for resuscitation. Critically, the agents surrounding him were not performing CPR or checking for a pulse—standard protocol in such situations—instead appearing to be “counting his bullet wounds.”
The doctor noted visible injuries including “at least three bullet wounds in his back,” one in the upper-left chest, and a possible wound to the neck. “They stood over him… He was still breathing. They didn’t move,” the account echoes similar descriptions in related reports, highlighting a delay in medical intervention. Pretti was pronounced dead later at Hennepin County Medical Center from multiple gunshot wounds, ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.
This testimony directly challenges the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) narrative that agents faced a “rapidly evolving threat” and acted in self-defense after Pretti allegedly advanced armed. Multiple bystander videos, including newly surfaced footage showing Pretti holding only a cellphone while shielding the woman from pepper spray, have contradicted claims he brandished or used his legally permitted handgun.
The woman Pretti tried to help provided a sworn affidavit: “I was pushed so hard I hit the ground… Before I could even get up, Alex was there, reaching for me. He wasn’t yelling. He wasn’t fighting. He just wanted to help me stand.” She emphasized seeing only his phone in one hand and his other raised defensively.
Pretti’s family condemned what they called “sickening lies” from authorities, describing their son as a compassionate nurse dedicated to veterans at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has intervened to preserve evidence, including bodycam and surveillance footage under court order, stating, “This isn’t about politics… This is about truth — and whether the truth was buried.”
The doctor’s account has fueled national outrage, with protests, vigils, and calls for independent investigations continuing across cities. Lawsuits accuse federal agencies of excessive force, evidence suppression, and obstructing justice. DHS maintains agents followed policy, but the emerging details—including the physician’s observations—have deepened public distrust and demands for transparency.
As the Department of Justice’s civil rights probe and internal DHS review proceed, this eyewitness medical perspective underscores broader concerns about use of force, post-incident protocols, and accountability in federal enforcement operations. Memorials at the site persist, with tributes honoring Pretti’s instinct to help others even in crisis.
