In the early morning hours of a quiet Minneapolis street, the sound of gunfire jolted an unexpected witness into action. A 29-year-old pediatrician living nearby rushed outside after realizing someone had been seriously hurt during a federal enforcement operation. That person was Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal immigration agents. The doctor’s sworn account, later included in federal court filings, offers one of the clearest civilian perspectives of the critical moments immediately after the shooting—and has drawn renewed attention to how the situation was handled in its earliest stages.
According to the physician’s statement, Pretti was found lying on his side on the pavement, surrounded by multiple agents. From a medical standpoint, the doctor said the positioning was unusual for someone with gunshot wounds and immediately concerning. The physician also noted that no one appeared to be providing emergency medical aid at that time. When the doctor asked whether Pretti had a pulse, agents reportedly responded that they were unsure. After identifying themselves as a physician and requesting to help, the doctor was initially asked to show credentials and was briefly searched before being allowed to approach the injured man.
Once access was granted, the doctor requested that Pretti be turned onto his back to allow for a proper assessment. Additional injuries became visible, and after checking for vital signs, the physician found no pulse. CPR was started immediately and continued until emergency medical responders arrived and assumed care. Shortly afterward, the doctor was forced to leave the area due to crowd-control measures, including tear gas that spread through nearby streets and into residential buildings. In the statement, the physician described feeling shaken and emotionally distressed by the experience, adding that it left them uncertain about returning home safely.
The incident quickly drew national attention after Pretti was identified as a U.S. citizen and an intensive care unit nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Colleagues remembered him as compassionate and deeply committed to patient care, while family members said he was passionate about social and environmental causes and had participated in lawful protests. Federal authorities have stated that Pretti was armed at the time and that the shooting remains under investigation. As memorials continue across Minneapolis, the doctor’s account has intensified broader discussions about emergency response, public safety, and accountability during enforcement operations—questions that many believe still require clear and transparent answers.
