The Life and Tragic Death of ICU Nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis
A man who was shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis has been identified by his family as 37-year-old intensive care nurse Alex Pretti.
He has been described as an avid outdoorsman who loved mountain biking and is understood to have joined protests after Renee Good, also 37, was shot dead by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in her car earlier this month.
Conflicting accounts have emerged about the moments leading up to his death. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said an agent fired in self-defence after Pretti, who they claim had a handgun, resisted attempts to disarm him. Some eyewitnesses and officials, as well as Pretti's family, have challenged that account.
Pretti worked as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital, his family said in a statement. They told the Associated Press news agency (AP) that he was upset by US President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigration in the city. Pretti's mother expressed that her son was deeply concerned about environmental issues being neglected under the current administration.
He hated that, you know, people were just trashing the land, Susan Pretti told AP.
He was described as a good man who cared for others and engaged in his community. Pretti had no significant criminal record or negative interactions with law enforcement, and his family urged the public to recognize the truth about their son amidst misleading narratives.
Following his death, a wave of grief engulfed those who knew him, with neighbors and friends reminiscing on his kindness and community spirit. Pretti’s tragic end raises questions about the realities of law enforcement engagements, especially in politically charged environments.
