Mariska Hargitay Calls for Action After ICE Shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis
- - Mariska Hargitay Calls for Action After ICE Shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis
Michelle SteinJanuary 26, 2026 at 3:59 AM
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John Nacion/WireImage via Getty Images
Mariska Hargitay sent a blunt political message after border patrol agents fatally shot and killed U.S. citizen Alex Prettiin Minneapolis amid ICE's intensified presence in Minnesota.
On Saturday, Jan. 24, federal agents killed Pretti, 37, an ICU nurse. Although President Donald Trump's Department of Homeland Security officials claimed self-defense, per CBS News, local officials confirmed that Pretti had no criminal record and had a legal permit to carry a firearm, The New York Times reported.
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After the news broke, Hargitay, 62, took to her Instagram Stories with a series of segments. "ICE out of Minneapolis now," the Law & Order: SVU star shared in a repost of an ACLU update.
Another IG Stories update featured a photo of Pretti and text that read, "Alex Pretti Murdered by ICE - 1/24/26."
In another segment, Hargitay reshared a quote from Stephen King that read, "Republicans when are you going to stop supporting Trump and start supporting America." A different image used a map of the U.S. with the words "Help" written on it. Meanwhile, Hargitay reposted a snapshot of Pretti alongside a statement from his mother and father.
"We are heartbroken but also very angry," the statement from his family read, per CBS News. "Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately he will not be with us to see his impact. I do not throw around the hero term lightly. However his last thought and act was to protect a woman. "
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The message continued, "The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump's murdering and cowardly ICE thugs. He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed. "
In conclusion, Pretti's parents pleaded, "Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man. Thank you."
Hargitay returned to Instagram on Sunday, Jan. 25, this time with a message on her grid, declaring, "What divides us now is not our political views, but our ethical beliefs."
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This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
