The recent death of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis has sparked a nationwide wave of anger and mourning. His tragic passing follows the fatal shooting of Renee Macklin Good, another Minneapolis resident, just weeks earlier. Both incidents were captured on video, leading to heightened protests against the ongoing operations by Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Twin Cities region.
Artists and activists, deeply affected by the events, have circulated Pretti’s image at vigils, protests, and through online platforms. A portrait of Pretti, showing him smiling in his light blue scrubs, has inspired many to create tributes celebrating his life and contributions to the community.
Born in Illinois and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, 37-year-old Pretti served as an ICU nurse at a Department of Veteran Affairs hospital in Minneapolis. Outraged by the actions of ICE agent Jonathan Ross against Macklin Good on January 7, Pretti participated in protests against the agency’s aggressive tactics in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Footage reveals Pretti aiding someone who had been shoved, only to be pepper-sprayed and forcibly subdued by several agents. Despite being disarmed, Pretti was fatally shot.
In response to the video evidence, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Pretti of attacking the agents and wielding a gun, while White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller labeled him an assassin. However, there is no video corroboration that Pretti ever brandished his legally owned firearm. His family denounced the administration’s narrative as false and highlighted his dedication to caregiving, noting that his final actions were to protect others.
Artists continue to honor Pretti’s memory through various artworks, recognizing both his professional and personal legacy. Molly Crabapple, moved by the injustice of his death, created an ink and gouache piece depicting Pretti with an agent drawn as a monstrous figure. Her portrayal captures the calm of someone familiar with adversity, reflecting Pretti’s strength and composure in his final moments.
