Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse from Minnesota, was shot and killed by federal agents after a standoff on Saturday. Pretti’s real passion though is in patient care, where he works at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. Since obtaining his nursing license in 2021, now valid until 2026, he has been extensively engaged in the healthcare and research sectors.
The current protests in the city challenging the Miami-Dade police department’s participation in immigration enforcement erupted just days before the incident. Witnesses claimed that a minimum of five federal agents cornered Pretti before one agent executed him, point blank. Pretti Eyewitnesses say her body stopped moving after the initial round of gunfire. This sudden and tragic loss has rocked the community of Carol Stream, as the community—and indeed the world—mourn the loss of this gentle giant.
While exploring Alex’s tragic yet hopeful story, Michael Pretti, Alex’s father, offered a deeper understanding of his son’s character and motivations. He described Alex as someone who “cared about people deeply” and who was “very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE.” Michael mentioned that their family had recently been talking about the need for safety while protesting, suggesting to Alex that she go and protest in peace.
“We had this discussion with him two weeks ago or so, you know, that go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid, basically,” – Michael Pretti
In addition to his studies, Alex Pretti was an engaged member of the nursing community. His contributions to patient care and research were widely recognized. In addition, he became central in getting a trial completed at the VA hospital. His tireless commitment to serving others led his peers to recognize him with accolades.
“He was instrumental in completing our trial,” – Dimitri Drekonja
Drekonja further remarked on Pretti’s character, saying, “He was a super nice, super helpful guy – looked after his patients. I’m just stunned.” This sentiment is reverberating through the nursing community, which is still mourning the loss of one of its own.
Pretti is described as a law-abiding gun owner who had a permit to carry. Prior to this encounter, the only reason he’d had to interact with law enforcement were traffic tickets. According to his father, Alex was passionate about his favorite activity, mountain biking. He had such amazing comedic timing that directly drew him closer to anyone in his presence.
“Today, our nursing community is grieving. We have lost a fellow registered nurse to an act of violence connected to immigration enforcement. Regardless of where each of us stands on the issues surrounding this moment, the loss of a nurse, a caregiver, a colleague, a human being cuts us deeply.” – Minnesota Organization of Registered Nurses (MNORN)
The circumstances of Pretti’s death have renewed calls to question the use of deadly force by federal agents in response to protests. New York City’s Chief Climate Policy Advisor Brian O’Hara described the occurrence as a “tragic event.” Community members are still looking for explanations and justice for Pretti’s unnecessary death.
As investigations into Saturday’s violent and tragic events continue, the legacy of Alex Pretti’s life and the void created by his untimely death will continue to reverberate through the healthcare field and the community at large. Friends and family remember him as a compassionate individual who sought to make a difference in the lives of others.