Former US President Barack Obama has strongly condemned the killing of Alex Pretti, calling it a heartbreaking tragedy and warning that core American values are under threat as outrage grows over the fatal shooting by federal agents.
In a joint statement released on January 25, Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama said Pretti’s death should serve as a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party.
“This has to stop. I would hope that after this most recent tragedy, administration officials will reconsider their approach, and start finding ways to work constructively with Governor Walz and Mayor Frey as well as state and local police to avert more chaos and achieve legitimate law enforcement goals,” they wrote.
The Obamas criticised the conduct of federal law enforcement and immigration agents, stressing that while their work is often difficult, it must be carried out lawfully, transparently, and in coordination with state and local authorities.
The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy. It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault. pic.twitter.com/0JmEsJ1QFW
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 25, 2026
Obamas also warned that intimidating methods and a lack of accountability risk eroding public trust and putting lives at risk.
The shooting occurred in Minneapolis during a federal immigration enforcement operation.
Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse, was shot and killed by federal agents.
Authorities initially claimed he posed a threat, but widely circulated video footage appears to contradict that account, showing him holding a mobile phone rather than a weapon.
Witnesses say Pretti had been filming the operation and attempting to assist another individual moments before he was fatally shot.
A US citizen who worked at a Veterans Affairs hospital, Pretti has been remembered by colleagues and friends as compassionate, calm, and deeply committed to caring for others.
His death has intensified scrutiny of federal immigration operations, particularly the use of masked agents and aggressive tactics in urban areas.
On the political front, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the shooting and demanded the removal of federal agents from Minnesota, arguing their presence has fueled chaos.
Mayor Frey described the operation as reckless and incompatible with community safety.
Several Democratic lawmakers have also called for independent investigations, while some Republican leaders have also urged a full review.
Outside the political sphere, civil society groups, nurses’ unions, and business leaders have expressed outrage, describing Pretti’s killing as emblematic of deeper systemic failures.
Protests have erupted in Minneapolis and other cities, with demonstrators demanding justice, transparency, and reforms to federal enforcement practices.