Green Bay graduate killed in Minneapolis shooting

Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old man killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis on Saturday, is a Green Bay high school graduate. A widely circulated video shows Pretti encircled by federal agents before being shot.

“Our hearts are with you, our love goes out to you; I know there is nothing I can say right now that will ease the pain. But I hope you know that Minneapolis cares deeply for you, and 435,000 residents that will do everything possible to stand with you,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey during an afternoon press conference that followed a morning briefing.

The killing resulted in unrest near the site of Pretti’s killing on Saturday. State and local law enforcement employed less-lethal weapons and chemical munitions and established a vehicle exclusionary zone in the area, said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara. 

Pretti was a Green Bay grad

Pretti was also a member of the Green Bay community and was a graduate of Preble High School. Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich called for a “full, transparent, and independent investigation” of Pretti’s death. 

“I mourn his tragic death with his friends and family, and join the chorus of Americans who are rightfully demanding the federal government change course and enforce immigration law in keeping with local, state, and federal laws and the U.S. Constitution,” said Genrich. 

He was also a singer

Members of the Green Bay community remembered Pretti on Saturday, describing his work in vocal jazz, show choir, and in musicals. He was a member of the Green Bay Boy Choir, and part of a “tight-knit community” in Green Bay, says Mark Becker, who sang alongside Pretti in the choir. 

“Even all of those years later, despite the time that went by, we all kind of have and had each others’ backs. To feel that loss, that disturbance in the force, of something so seismic like this touching this community, there’s so many people that he impacted that are stunned. And it’s so sad,” said Becker, host of Rational Revolution, in a phone interview. 

“What he was doing when he was executed, was just helping someone who was being harassed by ICE. That’s who I knew he was as a kid. It’s no shock to see that’s who he was growing up. He was funny and kind and wanting to make sure the little younger kids were safe and they felt at home. So it’s not a shock he grew up to be an ICU nurse taking care of people. Because that’s what he did in Green Bay. And it just pisses me off that that’s what cost him life. And it’s not fair,” Becker added. 

Nurses condemn his killing

Pretti worked as a nurse at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Minneapolis. The American Nurses Association said Saturday that they were “deeply disturbed and saddened” to learn of Pretti’s death and extended their condolences.

“ANA condemns violence in our communities. The seriousness of this incident and others demand transparency and accountability. ANA calls for a full, unencumbered investigation, and urges that findings be shared promptly and clearly so Alex’s loved ones and the public have answers,” the organization said in a statement.

Pretti’s death marks the third shooting by federal immigration officials in Minneapolis in seventeen days. An ICE officer shot and killed Renée Nicole Good on January 7. Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis was shot by an immigration official but survived on January 14.