After the tragic and preventable shootings in Minnesota, the nation needs accountability, safeguards—and investments in violence prevention that truly work
By Esta Soler
January 28, 2026
The nation is reeling from the tragic and preventable shootings we have all witnessed in Minnesota. This time it was a nurse, Alex Pretti, who federal law enforcement shot multiple times after he rushed to help a woman tear gassed by immigration enforcement agents.
His highly publicized killing, on the heels of the many other violent incidents we’ve witnessed in Minneapolis and in other communities, have left all of us in a heightened state of fear for ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors.
And yet, in the face of this violence, what we have seen in Minneapolis is a community that has come together to care for their neighbors and to oppose violence, often at great personal risk. They have displayed enormous courage.
We stand with them and the many community leaders, healthcare providers, government officials, law enforcement agencies, religious leaders and others nationwide who are asking for an impartial investigation into these deaths, seeking accountability for any wrongdoing, and calling for safeguards to prevent further harm.
Everyone deserves safety in their communities — at work, in places of worship, at school, at home and on our streets.
This is a moment when all of us who care about community safety, about human dignity, and about the rule of law, need to say loud and clear: the violence must end. We also condemn the rhetoric some of our political leaders have used to vilify the victims and communities impacted by these shootings.
Instead, our leaders should invest in strategies that actually work to keep communities safe, including violence prevention strategies that improve health and safety, address trauma, and build trusted relationships. For example, Congress recently introduced the Rise from Trauma Act, bi-partisan legislation that supports communities working together to prevent violence and help children heal from trauma and addiction. This is just one example of how our elected officials can support solutions that work.
FUTURES has worked for 40 years to prevent violence and build a world where everyone has access to opportunity and feels a sense of belonging, and where empathy is fostered and understanding is encouraged.
We are committed to continuing this vital work with all of you.
