Dean Cain Defends Federal Agents in Fatal Shooting of Minneapolis ICU Nurse Alex Pretti

Actor Dean Cain has spoken publicly in defense of federal immigration agents following the fatal shooting of Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who was killed during an encounter with agents on Saturday.

Cain, best known for his role on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, discussed the incident in an interview with TMZ on Monday. Speaking with managing editor Harvey Levin and executive producer Charles Latibeaudiere, Cain said he did not know all the details leading up to the shooting but argued that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have faced increased pressure and hostility in recent months.

Cain suggested several possible explanations for why agents may have used deadly force, emphasizing scenarios in which, he said, an individual could be perceived as obstructing federal law enforcement. He speculated that agents may have believed Pretti was impeding their actions or placing himself between officers and another individual during the encounter.

Pretti is the second American citizen to be fatally shot by immigration agents since the Trump administration ordered a crackdown on Minneapolis in December.

Video footage taken by bystanders and circulated online shows Pretti approaching agents while holding a cellphone as they confront a woman on a sidewalk. In the footage, agents appear to deploy pepper spray toward Pretti at close range and strike him before multiple agents tackle him. Moments later, several gunshots are heard, after which agents move away from Pretti’s body, which remains on the ground.

Following the shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference in which she described Pretti as a “domestic terrorist,” citing that he was carrying a semi-automatic handgun at the time. Minnesota law allows individuals to carry handguns in public with the appropriate permit. Video of the incident does not show Pretti brandishing the weapon, though Noem alleged that he intended to cause harm to law enforcement.

During his TMZ interview, Cain continued to raise questions about Pretti’s actions prior to the shooting, including whether he had been instructed to move away from the scene or was standing in a position agents considered obstructive. Cain said more information was needed to determine what prompted the agents’ response.

Cain also placed responsibility for the broader situation on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, accusing them of failing to cooperate with federal authorities. When asked to provide evidence that either official had encouraged residents to confront federal agents, Cain said he had seen video clips supporting his claims but did not cite specific statements.

Pretti’s parents released a statement on the day of his death describing their son as “a kindhearted soul” who wanted to make a positive impact. They also criticized what they called false claims made about him following the shooting, describing them as harmful and inaccurate.

The incident remains under investigation, and federal and state authorities have not released further details about the circumstances leading to the shooting.