Alex Pretti’s sister retains Milwaukee attorney as federal shooting in Minneapolis draws legal scrutiny

Milwaukee lawyer hired as family seeks to manage aftermath of Minneapolis shooting

Micayla Pretti, the sister of Alex Pretti, has retained Milwaukee-area attorney Anthony Cotton to assist her in the wake of her brother’s death during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Cotton, known primarily for criminal defense work, said his role is not to provide criminal defense services but to help her navigate communications and potential contact from law enforcement as the case develops.

The move comes as the Pretti family expands its legal representation amid multiple, parallel processes that can follow a law-enforcement shooting, including investigations, public-records disputes, and potential civil claims.

What is known about the incident

Alex Pretti, 37, was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, 2026, during a confrontation involving federal agents conducting immigration enforcement. Pretti was an intensive care nurse and a U.S. citizen with ties to Wisconsin, including graduation from Preble High School in Green Bay.

Video from the scene has circulated widely. Accounts based on publicly available footage describe Pretti holding a phone shortly before he was tackled by multiple agents. The same footage appears to show an officer removing a handgun from Pretti moments before shots were fired. Authorities have said Pretti was legally carrying a firearm.

• Pretti was legally permitted to carry a handgun, which was visible in some footage.
• Public videos show agents restraining Pretti on the ground before shots are heard.
• Footage has fueled dispute over whether Pretti posed an imminent threat at the moment he was shot.

Separate representation for different family members

In addition to Cotton’s retention by Micayla Pretti, the family’s broader legal posture includes separate representation for Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan Pretti. They have retained attorney Steve Schleicher, a former federal prosecutor, to represent them on a pro bono basis.

Having different attorneys can reflect differing responsibilities and needs: one counsel may focus on protecting a family member’s interests in interviews and interactions with investigators, while another may be positioned to evaluate civil-rights claims, evidence preservation, and the timing of any potential litigation.

Context: heightened scrutiny of federal operations in Minneapolis

Pretti’s death occurred in a period of increased attention to federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis. Earlier in January, another Minneapolis resident, Renée Good, was fatally shot during a separate encounter involving an immigration officer. The proximity of the two deaths has intensified scrutiny from local officials, community groups, and national observers, while also increasing demands for transparency about the tactics used in these operations.

Key questions likely to shape the next phase include what agents perceived in the seconds before the shooting, how force decisions were made, and how video evidence aligns with official timelines and statements.

No criminal charges, civil claims, or disciplinary outcomes related to Pretti’s death were publicly finalized as of Jan. 31, 2026.