Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese shared a brief but emotional reaction after the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, posting, “Praying for our country.” Authorities say Pretti was shot by Border Patrol agents after allegedly approaching officers with a handgun and resisting attempts to disarm him, a claim strongly disputed by his family. Relatives insist he was unarmed, holding only his phone, and was trying to protect a woman who had been pushed to the ground. They described him as a compassionate nurse who cared for military veterans and said he had recently joined protests against ICE activity in the city. NBA star Tyrese Haliburton went further, stating publicly that Pretti was “murdered.” The official cause of death has not yet been released, and the incident has intensified national debate over immigration enforcement and police conduct.

The shooting triggered immediate unrest in Minneapolis, with hundreds of protesters taking to the streets and authorities deploying tear gas near the scene. Citing safety concerns, the NBA postponed the Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors game scheduled for that evening, rescheduling it for the following day. Federal officials said the agent involved had eight years of service and fired “defensive shots” out of fear for officers’ lives, while Pretti’s family and supporters reject that narrative as false and defamatory. Political reactions quickly followed, with Vice President JD Vance criticizing local leaders for not cooperating with ICE and former President Donald Trump posting images he claimed showed the victim’s weapon. As investigations continue, the case has become both a personal tragedy and a flashpoint in the wider national conversation about law enforcement, protest, and immigration policy.