On the night of January 26, 2026, everything changed in an instant.
Around 12:30 a.m., Jax’s little heart simply couldn’t go on.
The suddenness of it hit like a punch to the gut. One moment, he was in our arms, our sweet boy, and the next, his heart stopped. We watched in disbelief as medical staff worked tirelessly to save him, and for 37 minutes, we held our breath, hoping, praying. “Clear… no pulse,” the doctors called out, and it’s those words that haunt me now. They opened his chest right there on the ICU floor, placing him on ECMO—a machine that would take over the work of his heart and lungs, giving him a fighting chance.
It was terrifying, unimaginable. But through it all, there was one thing I will forever be grateful for—we were there. We were right there beside him, watching as the medical team did everything in their power to save our baby. We weren’t left in a waiting room, waiting to hear the worst. We were with him, seeing every effort made in real-time, and for that, we are forever thankful.
Jax is now stable on ECMO, a life-support machine that acts as both the heart and lungs when the body can no longer do its job. His blood is filtered and oxygenated by the machine, and he is still on a ventilator. At this point, his body is on as much life support as possible. It’s a painful, unnerving sight to see him hooked up to all those machines, but it’s also the only thing keeping him with us.
We’ve been told this situation, though incredibly scary, isn’t uncommon. Sometimes, a body needs the machines to take over so it can rest and regain its strength. It’s part of the process, and right now, we hold on to the hope that this is just another hurdle we will overcome.
There’s hope in the small victories we’ve seen so far:
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His EEG is showing no signs of seizures or stroke.
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His head ultrasound revealed no bleeding in his brain.
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The CPR he received was incredibly strong, and the medical team is optimistic that any neurological impact will be minimal, if there’s any at all.
However, ECMO is serious business. The machine requires strong blood thinners to keep it from clotting, which comes with its own risks. But as we stand by his side, we trust in the expertise of the doctors and nurses who are watching over him minute by minute. They are working tirelessly to make sure every part of Jax’s body is being supported as he fights for his life.
At this moment, we are holding on to hope, but we also know the road ahead will be long and uncertain. It’s not easy to see your child so vulnerable, so fragile, but every day, every hour, is a step toward healing. Jax’s resilience has already shown itself to be stronger than we ever could have imagined. His fight has just begun, and we believe with all our hearts that he is going to keep fighting.
Pray for his heart, his brain, his lungs, and his strength. Pray for the doctors and nurses who are guiding him through this. Pray for protection over every machine that is keeping him alive, and pray for our family as we navigate this terrifying journey.
Jax’s story is far from over. He has shown us so much strength already, and we know he will continue to fight with everything he’s got. This isn’t the end. It’s just the beginning of his recovery, and we’re here for every step of the way. With love, hope, and faith, we’ll continue to support him, and we believe in his healing.
Please keep praying for Jax. We feel the power of your support, and it gives us the strength to keep going.
Thank you to everyone who has been there for us. Your prayers, your love, and your kindness mean the world to us. Every step forward with Jax is a victory, and we will hold on to each one.
DHS Report on Fatal Shooting of Alex Pretti: New Details and Investigation Underway.4312
Minneapolis, MN – January 28, 2026 – A newly obtained Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report, detailing the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal officers in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026, has raised more questions than answers about the events leading up to his death. The report, which was sent to Congress and later obtained by ABC News, provides new details but also leaves crucial gaps in the story, sparking calls for further investigation.
According to the DHS report, which includes body-worn camera footage and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) documentation, two federal officers discharged their firearms during the confrontation with Pretti. However, the report is notably silent on whether Pretti attempted to reach for a weapon during the struggle, an issue that has become central to the debate over the shooting.
The Incident Leading Up to the Shooting
The events unfolded when Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was involved in an encounter with CBP agents and other federal personnel. The timeline provided by DHS indicates that agents were attempting to take Pretti into custody after a woman ran to him for help. The report states that the woman and Pretti did not comply with CBP agents’ orders to move out of the roadway, prompting the CBP officer (CBPO) to push them away. This physical confrontation escalated quickly.
“The CBPO ordered the female civilians to move out of the roadway, and the female civilians did not move,” the report notes. “The CBPO pushed them both away and one of the females ran to a male, later identified as 37-year-old Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a U.S. citizen.”
At this point, the situation took a dangerous turn. The report reveals that in an effort to control the situation, the CBPO deployed oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, a common non-lethal crowd control method, toward Pretti and the woman. Despite this attempt to de-escalate, Pretti resisted the CBP personnel, leading to a physical struggle between him and the agents.
It was during this struggle that, according to the report, a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) shouted “He’s got a gun!” multiple times. Approximately five seconds after this announcement, two CBP agents discharged their firearms. One agent, using a Glock 19, and another, with a Glock 47, both fired at Pretti.
The Aftermath of the Shooting
In the aftermath of the shooting, DHS’s report states that a Border Patrol Agent (BPA) claimed to have possession of Pretti’s firearm. However, the timeline does not provide clarity on when exactly agents secured the weapon. This omission has led to questions about whether Pretti was armed at the time the shots were fired, and whether he had already been disarmed before the deadly force was used.
While the DHS report outlines the agents’ actions, it does not specify whether both agents who discharged their weapons struck Pretti with gunfire. Civilians who witnessed the incident captured multiple videos showing Pretti being disarmed just before the first shot was fired. This crucial footage has raised further concerns about the justification for using lethal force in the situation.
The Public Outcry and Calls for Investigation
The death of Alex Pretti has stirred strong reactions from the public, particularly from lawmakers who are demanding a thorough investigation into the shooting. The details in the DHS report have fueled concerns about the use of force by federal agents, particularly in light of the apparent lack of clear evidence that Pretti posed an immediate threat to the officers.
Over two dozen congressional Republicans have called for a more comprehensive investigation into the incident, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in law enforcement actions. The report’s failure to definitively address whether Pretti was attempting to reach for a weapon has left many questioning the officers’ decision to use deadly force.
Pretti’s family and community members have expressed their outrage over the shooting, with some calling it an unjustified killing. They argue that the struggle between Pretti and the agents did not warrant the use of lethal force, especially if he had already been disarmed prior to the shooting. The civilian videos of the incident have only added to the tension, as they appear to show a moment of disarmament right before the fatal shots were fired.
The Path Forward
As the investigation continues, the DHS report has raised more questions than it has answered. Lawmakers from both parties are pushing for a full inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Several have stressed the importance of reviewing all available evidence, including additional civilian video footage and any other relevant documentation, to ensure that the actions of federal agents are properly scrutinized.
While DHS has provided some details about the sequence of events, much remains unclear. The failure to clarify whether Pretti was armed at the time of the shooting, combined with the conflicting accounts from law enforcement and civilian witnesses, has left many with lingering doubts about the justification for the use of deadly force.
As of now, Alex Pretti’s family is left to grapple with the loss of their loved one, while the broader public awaits further clarification on the actions that led to his death. The case has highlighted the ongoing concerns about law enforcement’s use of force, particularly in situations involving non-compliance and physical struggles. It remains to be seen whether the investigation will lead to answers or whether more questions will continue to surface as the details of that fateful Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis are fully explored.
The tragic death of Alex Pretti underscores the importance of accountability in law enforcement and the need for clear and consistent guidelines on the use of force. With calls for justice growing louder, the investigation into his death is far from over, and the community continues to demand answers.
