01/24/2026
🇺🇸 UPDATE: Today in Minneapolis, 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti — a U.S. citizen, U.S. Air Force veteran, ICU nurse and a committed member of his community — was shot and killed during a federal immigration enforcement operation.
Pretti, who legally carried a firearm and had no serious criminal history, was confronted by federal officers. Bystander video and witness accounts describe a chaotic encounter in which he was forced to the ground and then shot multiple times. While federal authorities have issued statements regarding the incident, significant questions remain about the necessity, escalation, and use of lethal force.
This tragic loss has deeply shaken the Minneapolis community and comes amid growing concern over aggressive and discriminatory federal enforcement practices. The Ahıska Center condemns racist and violent actions by federal authorities, mourns the loss of a veteran and healthcare worker who served his country and community, and stands with all those calling for truth, accountability, and justice.