Alex Pretti, 37, who was killed Saturday during an encounter with federal immigration agents, was a nurse who devoted his career to caring for sick veterans, according to family members, friends and colleagues. They said his work reflected a lifelong commitment to helping others.
Pretti spent about five years as an Intensive Care Unit nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, a co-worker said, speaking anonymously. His parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, described him as a compassionate person who deeply cared for both his loved ones and the veterans he treated.
“Alex was a kindhearted soul who wanted to make a difference in the world,” they said in a statement. “Tragically, he will not be here to see the impact he made.”
Dr. Dimitri Drekonja, chief of the Infectious Diseases Section at the Minneapolis VA, wrote on Bluesky that Pretti was “a good, kind person who lived to help,” noting his work supporting critically ill veterans. A colleague added that Pretti had researched ways to prevent colon cancer deaths among veterans.
Pretti was shot and killed while immigration agents restrained him on the ground in Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security said officers recovered a handgun from Pretti and fired in self-defense, stating that he resisted attempts to disarm him. However, video analysis shows an agent removed the gun shortly before the shooting.
Minneapolis police said Pretti legally owned the firearm and held a valid permit. Court records show no criminal history beyond minor traffic and parking violations.
Pretti’s parents rejected claims that he posed a threat, saying he was trying to protect a nearby woman during the incident. They strongly criticized federal officials’ characterization of their son, calling it false and harmful.
Family members said Pretti began attending protests against immigration enforcement after another fatal shooting involving an ICE agent earlier this month. His father said Pretti was deeply troubled by what he saw happening in Minneapolis and across the country.
Raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Pretti graduated high school in 2006. He worked at the VA hospital to pay for nursing school and later joined the staff after earning his degree.
Neighbors described him as friendly and respectful. Jeannie Wiener, who lived nearby, said she frequently spoke with Pretti while he walked his dog and never viewed him as a danger.
His father said the family had urged Pretti to remain cautious while protesting. “We told him to speak out, but not to engage or put himself at risk,” he said. “He understood that.”