“What did you do?”: Agents captured on video shooting and killing Minneapolis man

A deeply disturbing video circulating widely on Social Media has reignited intense public scrutiny of federal enforcement actions in the United States. The footage, recorded by a bystander, appears to show multiple federal agents forcibly detaining and fatally shooting a 37-year-old Minneapolis man, prompting anguished cries of “What did you do?” from witnesses at the scene.

Six Federal Agents Seen Forcing Man to the Ground Before Fatal Shooting

According to one of the viral videos, at least six federal agents—reportedly associated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—surrounded Alex Jeffrey Pretti during an arrest attempt in Minneapolis. The incident allegedly took place amid a broader anti-immigration enforcement campaign linked to policies introduced during the Trump administration.

The video, captured by a woman who can be heard reacting in shock and anger, shows agents dragging Pretti to the ground. Moments later, gunshots ring out. Witnesses scream as Pretti lies motionless. The graphic nature of the footage and the apparent lack of clarity surrounding the agents’ actions have sparked widespread outrage and demands for accountability.

Several bystanders can be heard shouting at the agents, repeatedly asking, “What did you do?” as the situation escalated. Whistles were blown by demonstrators nearby when Pretti was first apprehended, suggesting that the arrest unfolded in the presence of an active protest.

What the Video Reveals About the Minneapolis Shooting

One of the videos, filmed by a female onlooker, reportedly shows federal officers attempting to arrest Pretti before forcing him to the ground. During the ensuing altercation, one agent is seen firing multiple rounds. Pretti was shot several times and pronounced dead at the scene.

The footage has raised serious questions about the use of force by federal agents, particularly during immigration-related operations. Civil rights advocates and members of the public have expressed alarm over what they describe as an excessive and fatal response, especially given that Pretti was unarmed at the time, according to eyewitness accounts.

After the shooting, the woman recording the video can be heard yelling in disbelief and rage, demanding answers from the agents. Her voice, shaking with emotion, echoes the confusion and anger now felt by many across the country.

Who Was Alex Jeffrey Pretti?

Alex Jeffrey Pretti was born in Illinois and worked as an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital in Minneapolis. Known among colleagues as compassionate and deeply committed to patient care, Pretti had no criminal record and was not involved in any illegal activities, according to his family.

Pretti had been actively participating in demonstrations following the death of Renee Nicole Good, a woman who was reportedly killed by immigration police in the United States on January 7. He was a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies and had consistently expressed concern over what he viewed as increasingly aggressive ICE operations.

Family Speaks Out: “He Had a Deep Concern for People”

Speaking to the Associated Press (AP), Pretti’s father, Michael Pretti, said his son was driven by empathy and moral conviction, not violence or lawlessness. He emphasized that Alex was deeply troubled by what he believed were worsening conditions in Minneapolis and across the country due to intensified immigration crackdowns.

“He was very upset about what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset,” Michael Pretti told AP. “He had a deep concern for people.”

Recalling his son’s motivations, he added, “He thought it was terrible—kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He took part in protests because he recognized it was wrong and because he cared about those people.”

Growing Calls for Transparency and Accountability

The killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti has intensified calls for an independent investigation into federal law enforcement practices, particularly during immigration-related operations. Legal experts, Human Rights organizations, and community leaders are urging authorities to release full details of the incident, including body camera footage and the official justification for the use of lethal force.

As the videos continue to spread online, the case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement, police accountability, and the limits of state power. For many, the haunting question shouted by witnesses—“What did you do?”—now stands as a broader demand for truth, justice, and reform.