News reports indicate that this incident occurred amid heightened tensions following another recent fatal shooting involving federal agents in the city. Alex Pretti was killed on January 24, 2026, in what authorities describe as an encounter during protests, with conflicting accounts emerging about the moments leading up to the shooting. Cell phone video and witness reports have circulated, but investigations are ongoing to determine the full sequence of events.
Alex's parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, have released a heartfelt statement expressing profound heartbreak and anger. They describe their son as a kindhearted soul who deeply cared about people, loved his country, and was upset by injustices he witnessed. They claim that his final actions involved defending a woman who was being accosted or shoved to the ground during the unrest, portraying him as someone trying to protect another person in a moment of crisis rather than an aggressor.
Regarding Minnesota laws on carrying firearms at protests: The state generally permits permitless carry for eligible adults (those 21+ who can legally possess a firearm), with no specific statewide prohibition on openly carrying or carrying concealed at public demonstrations or protests, provided it does not violate other restrictions (such as in certain sensitive areas or if used unlawfully). However, brandishing or using a firearm in a threatening manner can lead to charges, and federal agents operate under their own protocols during enforcement actions.
At Sacerdotus, we affirm that every human life is sacred and possesses inherent dignity, a truth rooted in our faith and moral reasoning. We recently participated in and reflected on the March for Life, where we defended the unborn. But the defense of life does not end there—it extends to all vulnerable persons, including those exercising their rights to protest, and to situations where individuals may act to protect others from harm.
We do not know all the facts surrounding this tragic event, just as the public and investigators are still gathering and vetting information. We await the outcomes of thorough, transparent investigations. Whether Alex Pretti brandished a firearm or not remains under investigation, and we cannot comment definitively on that detail at this time.
We must speak out in defense of life and the rights of protesters to assemble peacefully and seek justice without fear of disproportionate force. It is striking—and troubling—to observe the discrepancy in public reactions: many who praised Kyle Rittenhouse for carrying an AR-15 (often described by critics as a weapon of mass destruction) to a protest in Kenosha, where he killed two people and injured another in claimed self-defense, are now quick to label Alex Pretti a "domestic terrorist" or condemn him outright. Such inconsistencies undermine trust in how we value life and apply principles of justice fairly.
We offer our deepest condolences to the Pretti family—Michael, Susan, and all who loved Alex—during this unimaginable time of grief. May they find comfort in the outpouring of support from those who knew him as a caring nurse and compassionate person.
We urge calm, prayer, and patience as investigations bring more facts to light. Let us pray for truth, healing, and a renewed commitment to protecting every human life with dignity and fairness. Rest in peace, Alex Pretti.
