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Mourners gather at a makeshift memorial in Minneapolis with flowers, candles, posters, signs and photos laid on snowy ground following the fatal shooting of a man by federal immigration officers. Some signs call for justice and reference the name Alex Pretti, the ICU nurse who was killed, as people protest and grieve his death.

A photo of some of the items left at the site of Alex Pretti's death. Photo credit: Darth Stabro

Man Killed by Federal Officers in Minnesota Was an ICU Nurse

January 26, 2026

Man Killed by Federal Officers in Minnesota Was an ICU Nurse

A Minnesota ICU nurse was fatally shot by federal agents, sparking public outcry and calls for accountability. This classroom-ready lesson helps students examine the event, civil rights concerns, and media coverage.

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PBS News Hour Classroom
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Note: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to learn more about?

Teacher's note: You may also want to read the AP story, Man shot and killed by federal officers in Minnesota was an ICU nurse, his parents say (Jan. 25, 2026).

President Donald Trump sent his border czar to Minneapolis and shifted his response a bit following bipartisan blowback to the fatal shooting of a second U.S. citizen by federal agents. But anger over the conduct of ICE and Border Patrol is high, and a federal judge is deciding whether the immigration crackdown can continue.

Warm-Up Questions

  1. Who was Alex Pretti, and what was his background?
  2. When was Pretti shot? When was Renee Good shot and killed by ICE?
  3. What are the main discrepancies (differences) between the federal government's version of the shooting and other accounts, including his family's and news organizations?
  4. How have different groups reacted to the news, including Republican and Democrat lawmakers, Minneapolis residents and the federal government, including Department of Homeland Security (DHS)?
  5. Why are gun rights groups including Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus "deeply concerned" about the shooting?

Essential Questions

  • What must state and federal lawmakers do in order to address the unrest and violence related to immigration enforcement policies?
  • Do you think people's rights guaranteed under the Constitution are currently being protected by the government? Explain.
  • Media literacy: For breaking news, especially, why is it important to seek out updates on the story as more is understood?

What Students Can Do

  • Read the following Politifact article to learn more about the legal rights that everyone in the United States possesses under the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution— including immigrants suspected of being in the country illegally. You may also wish to break the article up into its four sections with a friend, family member or neighbor, reading and summarizing each part afterwards.
  • Learn about the large protests that took place in the Twin Cities on Friday, Jan. 23, related to the Trump Administration's immigration crackdown.

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Republished with permission from PBS News Hour Classroom.

PBS News Hour Classroom
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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