As Minneapolis mourned the death of Alex Pretti, family members and friends pushed back against claims by Trump administration officials that he was a violent extremist.
Pretti, 37, was an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. He was killed Saturday during a confrontation with U.S. Border Patrol officers.
Federal officials described Pretti as a “domestic terrorist.” Those who knew him strongly disputed that label.
They remembered him as kind, calm, and deeply committed to helping others.
A Caregiver Who Honored Veterans
Pretti worked long hours caring for sick and dying veterans.
A video shared online shows him delivering a final salute beside the flag-draped body of Terrance Lee Randolph, an Air Force veteran who died at the VA hospital in 2024.
“Freedom is not free,” Pretti said in the video. “We have to work for it, protect it, and sometimes sacrifice for it.”
Randolph’s son, Mac Randolph, said the words carried new meaning after Pretti’s death.
“He treated my father and our family with dignity and respect,” Randolph said. “He was truly one of the best of us.”
The Shooting and Conflicting Accounts
The Department of Homeland Security said Pretti was shot after approaching agents with a 9mm handgun. Officials did not say whether the weapon was pointed or raised.
Videos taken by bystanders show Pretti holding a phone. None appear to show a gun in his hand.
Family members said Pretti owned a handgun and had a legal permit to carry in Minnesota. They said they had never known him to carry it.
Federal officials said the agent acted in self-defense.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey disputed that account after reviewing video footage.
He said claims that Pretti used his gun or posed a threat were not supported by the video.
Family Learns of Death Through the Media
Pretti’s parents said they first learned of the shooting from an Associated Press reporter.
They later confirmed his death through the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.
As of Saturday evening, the family said no federal agency had contacted them.
After public comments by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the family issued a statement expressing anger and grief.
“The lies told about our son are reprehensible,” the statement said. “He was holding his phone, not a gun.”
The family said the video shows Pretti shielding a woman who was being pepper-sprayed.
A History of Peaceful Protest
Pretti was born in Illinois and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He played sports, joined the Boy Scouts, and sang in the Green Bay Boy Choir.
He later earned a degree from the University of Minnesota and worked as a research scientist before becoming a nurse.
Family members said he was deeply troubled by immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. He joined protests after the January killing of Renee Good, another U.S. citizen shot by federal agents.
“He cared deeply about people who were being mistreated,” his father said. “That’s why he protested.”
Court records show Pretti had no criminal history beyond traffic tickets.
Neighbors Recall a Quiet, Helpful Man
Pretti lived alone in a small condominium near where he was killed.
Neighbors described him as warm, quiet, and always willing to help.
“He had a great heart,” said Sue Gitar, who lived downstairs. “If something was wrong, he stepped in.”
Though neighbors knew he owned firearms for target shooting, they said they never believed he carried a gun in public.
Grief Spreads Through the Community
On Sunday morning, mourners gathered near the site of the shooting.
They lit candles, laid flowers, and arranged pine cones spelling out: “Long live Alex Pretti.”
Snow dusted the ground as police cars stood nearby.
An Outdoorsman Who Loved His Country
Pretti was an avid cyclist and outdoor enthusiast. He was especially close to his dog, Joule, who died last year.
His parents said their final conversation involved a home repair and a generous tip Pretti gave a Latino worker.
“He loved this country,” his mother said. “But he hated seeing people and the land mistreated.”
