Medical Examiner Rules Death of VA Nurse Alex Pretti a Homicide, Fueling Scrutiny of Federal Agents' Actions
By Adam Gray, Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office has officially determined the death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Veterans Affairs ICU nurse, to be a homicide, according to a public data form released Monday and first reported by The Minnesota Star Tribune.
The ruling confirms that Pretti died from "multiple gunshot wounds" at the hands of another person. It marks a pivotal development in a case that has sparked national outrage, widespread protests, and sharp criticism of the federal government's initial characterization of the events leading to his death on January 24.
Pretti was fatally shot during chaotic protests in Minneapolis against then-President Donald Trump's immigration policies. In the immediate aftermath, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Pretti a "domestic terrorist," while other administration officials claimed, without providing evidence, that he had brandished a weapon and intended to attack federal agents.
However, extensive video evidence from multiple bystanders, analyzed frame-by-frame by several news organizations, directly contradicted those claims. The footage showed Pretti holding only a cell phone. He possessed a valid permit to carry a firearm, which remained holstered throughout the incident. Records indicate one agent removed the gun from its holster while Pretti was restrained by several officers, before another agent opened fire, striking Pretti in the back.
Pretti's death came just weeks after ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Good on January 7, a case the same medical examiner's office also ruled a homicide. The twin incidents have galvanized a movement demanding accountability and criminal investigations into the use of force by federal immigration and border officers.
On Sunday, ProPublica identified the two agents who shot Pretti as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez, citing government records.
The medical examiner's classification of "homicide" is a medical-legal term indicating the death was caused by another person, not necessarily a determination of criminal wrongdoing. The one-page public report contained no further details from the autopsy. The finding now shifts the focus to prosecutors, who must decide whether to bring criminal charges against the agents involved.
Reaction & Analysis:
"This official finding is what we've known in our hearts since January," said Maya Chen, a fellow nurse who worked with Pretti at the VA hospital. "Alex was there to provide medical aid, not violence. The 'homicide' ruling is a crucial step toward justice, but it's only a first step. Those who shot him and those who smeared his name must be held accountable."
Legal analyst David Porter offered a more measured perspective: "The medical examiner's determination is significant, but it's not synonymous with a murder charge. Prosecutors will now weigh this finding against the agents' statements and the legal standards for use of force. This will be a complex case testing the limits of federal authority during civil unrest."
A more尖锐 reaction came from Marcus Thorne, a local activist and organizer: "They executed a nurse in broad daylight and called him a terrorist to cover it up. This 'homicide' ruling is the bare minimum of truth. If this doesn't result in indictments, it proves the system is designed to protect its own trigger-happy agents from any consequence."
Community advocate Priya Sharma highlighted the broader implications: "This isn't just about Alex or Renee Good. This is about a pattern of lethal force and immediate demonization by powerful officials. The medical examiner's report is a piece of factual bedrock in a case flooded with disinformation. It should force a full, transparent reckoning."