EUGENE, Oregon — The sports and entertainment world was shaken today after Oregon Ducks head coach Dana Altman, visibly emotional, confirmed that Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the 37‑year‑old intensive care nurse who was shot and killed on Saturday by federal law‑enforcement officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was his relative. The heartbreaking announcement came just hours before the Ducks’ highly anticipated game in Eugene, Oregon — a moment that thrust a national tragedy into the personal life of one of college basketball’s most respected coaches.

Pretti’s death has already become a major national story, prompting widespread scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics, political debate, and public protest. Altman’s revelation adds a deeply personal dimension to this discourse, uniting the worlds of sports, politics, and community tragedy in a way no one expected.

What Happened in Minneapolis: The Death of Alex Pretti

On January 24, 2026, Alex Pretti, a registered intensive care unit (ICU) nurse working at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, was fatally shot by United States Border Patrol agents during a federal enforcement operation in the city.

According to official reports, federal agents were conducting a targeted action connected to an immigration enforcement surge when Pretti was shot multiple times. While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has described the incident as involving a threat, bystander video and multiple eyewitness accounts conflict sharply with that narrative.

Local authorities confirmed Pretti had no significant criminal history and carried a valid permit to carry a firearm, but denied any indication he was involved in violent activity.

Family members, friends, and colleagues have described Pretti as a compassionate healthcare professional who cared deeply for his patients — particularly the veterans he treated — and as a community member with a strong sense of justice and service.

Conflicting Narratives and Public Outcry

The circumstances of Pretti’s death have ignited national controversy. Official statements from DHS alleged Pretti approached agents with a firearm and resisted officers’ orders, prompting them to fire “defensive shots.” Yet witness video reviewed by independent news outlets appears to show Pretti unarmed — holding only a phone — and not posing a visible threat when federal agents moved in.

This contrast has fueled intense debate about federal enforcement tactics, transparency, and accountability:

• Local police and community leaders have pressed for full access to evidence and independent oversight, expressing concern over conflicting accounts of the incident.

• Protesters gathered at the site of the shooting and at candlelight vigils in Minneapolis, decrying the use of lethal force and calling for justice and deeper investigation.

• Nursing organizations, including the American Nurses Association and the American Association of Critical‑Care Nurses, have publicly expressed sorrow and demanded thorough investigation into the incident involving a healthcare professional.

• Critics of DHS messaging have accused the agency of making premature public statements that paint Pretti in a violent light without sufficient supporting evidence.

In short, Pretti’s killing has become symbolic of broader concerns about law‑enforcement engagement with civilians and the need for accountability in federal operations.

Dana Altman’s Emotional Revelation

Just hours before the Oregon Ducks were set to square off in Eugene, head coach Dana Altman addressed the media and confirmed that Alex Pretti — whose death had already drawn sharp national focus — was a member of his extended family. Altman, known for his long and distinguished college coaching career, appeared visibly shaken as he spoke.

Altman’s connection to Pretti was not widely known prior to today’s announcement. The revelation immediately transformed what was expected to be a routine pregame media session into a profoundly human story of personal loss and public grief.

“I’m here today not just as a coach, but as someone who has lost someone very dear,” Altman told reporters. “Alex was more than a name in the news to us. He was family — and a man of heart, compassion, and service.” While Altman did not disclose details of their familial connection, his voice cracked with emotion as he reflected on Pretti’s life and the pain his absence has brought.

The revelation put into stark relief the unexpected ways in which national tragedies intersect with personal lives — even those of public figures such as Altman, whose professional identity often stands apart from political controversy.

Reactions from the Sports World

The response from athletes, coaches, and fans was swift and heartfelt. Social media platforms lit up with messages of condolences for Altman and his family, with many praising the coach’s courage for speaking openly about his relative amid so much scrutiny and emotion.

Former players, opposing coaches, and commentators emphasized the humanity of Altman’s revelation, noting that while coaches are often seen solely through the lens of competition, they too experience the same vulnerability and loss that defines us all.

Several prominent figures in college athletics expressed solidarity, describing their own experiences with personal tragedy during the pressures of the competitive season.

“The strength Coach Altman showed today is a reminder that sports are about much more than wins and losses,” said one prominent college basketball analyst. “Life’s toughest moments don’t pause for a schedule.”

Remembering Alex Pretti: A Life of Service

In the midst of political debate and conflicting official narratives, family members and friends of Alex Pretti have consistently emphasized who he was as a person: a dedicated healthcare professional, a caregiver to veterans, and an advocate for his community.

Pretti had earned his bachelor’s degree before pursuing nursing, eventually becoming a registered ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA facility. Colleagues remember him as calm, compassionate, and committed to patient care — traits that defined his professional life.

Friends also recall Pretti as someone deeply concerned with social justice and community well‑being, participating in peaceful activism and public demonstrations prior to the incident.

“He wanted to make a difference,” said one friend in a recent interview, recounting how Pretti combined his medical work with volunteer efforts and support for fellow community members.

That reputation — as a nurturing caregiver both inside and outside the hospital — contrasts sharply with aspects of the official law‑enforcement narrative and has driven many supporters to demand a transparent investigation.

Political Ramifications and Broader Debate

Pretti’s death has quickly transcended local news to become a topic of national political debate:

• Federal lawmakers from both parties have weighed in, with calls for greater oversight of federal law‑enforcement operations and demands for accountability.

• Experts in civil rights and law enforcement have called for independent reviews of the incident and broader discussions on enforcement policies in residential urban areas.

• Corporate leaders and public figures have expressed concern about the implications of the shooting and advocated for policy de‑escalation and community engagement.

In this context, Altman’s personal testimony is resonating beyond the sports community, reminding many observers that behind every headline is a human life with family, friends, and stories that deserve to be understood comprehensively.

Oregon Ducks Game and Community Support

Despite the emotional anguish, Altman chose to coach the Ducks in their scheduled game, underscoring both his commitment to his team and his resilience in the face of personal grief. The Ducks players held a moment of silence for Pretti before tipoff, a gesture that was met with overwhelming applause from the Eugene crowd.

Fans — many of whom had followed Altman’s long tenure with the Ducks — responded with visible support, holding signs and wearing shirts that honored Pretti’s memory. While the result of the game took a backseat to the day’s emotional significance, the basketball community came together in a way that transcended sport.

A Legacy Remembered

As investigations into the Pretti shooting continue and public debate unfolds, Alex Pretti’s legacy is increasingly defined by how those who knew him remember him — as a healer, a neighbor, and a family member taken too soon. His death, and Altman’s poignant acknowledgment of their relationship, highlight both the fragility of life and the profound impact one person can have on others.

Dana Altman, a coach known for his strategic prowess and long success at Oregon, emerged today not as a figure of competition, but as a relative in mourning — a reminder that even the most accomplished public figures share in life’s deepest struggles.

In conversations about policy, justice, and enforcement, Pretti’s story and Altman’s tribute will remain powerful testaments to how personal loss intersects with national stories, and how communities — from Minneapolis to Eugene — respond when tragedy touches the human heart.