Federal agents were reportedly familiar with Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti prior to his fatal encounter with U.S. Border Patrol officers, according to a CNN report citing sources with knowledge of federal immigration enforcement operations. The report states that Pretti’s name had been entered into federal systems before his death during a Border Patrol operation on January 24, raising questions about what authorities may have known in advance.
A source told CNN that Pretti was considered “known” to federal officials, though it remains unclear how widely his information was shared or whether agents involved in the incident recognized him at the time. Officials have not confirmed how Pretti’s details were circulated internally or which agencies may have had access to the information.
The report also notes that federal authorities had recently distributed an intake form as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s “Metro Surge” immigration enforcement initiative. The form was designed to collect identifying information on individuals who interfered with or confronted agents during operations. It is not known whether Pretti’s name was entered through this process or how the data was stored and accessed.
Authorities have not said whether the Border Patrol agents involved in the January 24 encounter were aware of any prior interactions between Pretti and federal officials. During the incident, agents struggled with Pretti, removed a firearm from his waistband, and fatally shot him. Federal officials have stated the shooting occurred during a rapidly unfolding situation, and multiple investigations remain ongoing.
The CNN report follows earlier accounts of a separate encounter involving Pretti approximately one week before his death. Sources said he was injured during a confrontation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after intervening in what he believed was an enforcement action involving a family. While Pretti was released without arrest and later sought medical care, the Department of Homeland Security has said it has no official record of that incident. As investigations continue, questions remain about information sharing among agencies and whether earlier encounters had any connection to the events that led to Pretti’s death.