Family Mourns Minneapolis Nurse Killed by ICE Agents
Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse who cared for veterans, was shot dead by immigration agents during a protest.
The family of Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old man fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, has shared a heartfelt tribute describing him as a compassionate ICU nurse dedicated to treating sick American veterans. Pretti, a US citizen born in Illinois, worked at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, where colleagues remember him as a kind and selfless individual committed to improving veterans’ lives.
His parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, released a statement calling their son a “kindhearted soul” who deeply loved his family, friends, and the veterans under his care. They highlighted his desire to make a positive difference in the world, expressing profound grief that he will no longer be able to fulfill that mission. Co-worker Dr. Dimitri Drekonja described Pretti as “a good, kind person who lived to help,” noting his research efforts to prevent colon cancer deaths among veterans.
The fatal encounter occurred on Saturday during an immigration enforcement operation amid ongoing protests against aggressive ICE actions in the city. According to the Department of Homeland Security, agents attempted to disarm Pretti after he “violently resisted,” leading officers to fire in self-defense when he allegedly reached for his licensed handgun. No criminal charges had been filed against him in connection with the weapon, local police confirmed.
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Pretti’s parents strongly disputed the official account, calling the claims “sickening lies” and insisting their son was a “good man” who was trying to protect a woman near the agents rather than posing any threat. They revealed that Alex had begun joining the demonstrations following the earlier fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE officers earlier this month, deeply troubled by the immigration crackdown affecting communities nationwide.
The incident has intensified public outrage and political fallout in Minneapolis, with Pretti’s death coming less than a month after the previous killing and fueling calls for greater accountability from federal immigration authorities.
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