In her first raw interview since her son’s shooting by Border Patrol agents, Susan Pretti tried to speak about Alex’s young life cut short… but the words caught in her throat. Tears streamed as she whispered, “He was only 37…” and then silence—the pain too heavy to continue.
What came next shocked the nation: the “truth” she revealed about Alex’s final days, his quiet fears, his unbreakable belief in helping others—even as he faced danger protesting ICE raids. “He told us he had to do this… for the people who couldn’t,” she managed, before the interview cut away amid sobs.
This clip is going mega-viral—millions watching a mother’s grief turn into a powerful call for justice. From the ICU nurse who saluted dying veterans to a 37-year-old gunned down in the street… the heartbreak is unreal.
In an emotional first public interview since the January 24, 2026, fatal shooting of her 37-year-old son Alex Jeffrey Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol agents, Susan Pretti struggled to articulate her grief, managing only the words “He was only 37…” before breaking down in tears. The incomplete sentence, captured on camera during a sit-down with local and national media, has resonated widely, underscoring the profound loss felt by Pretti’s family amid ongoing investigations and national debate over the incident.
Pretti, an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was killed during a confrontation in south Minneapolis while participating in protests against federal immigration enforcement operations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has described the shooting as self-defense, stating agents responded after Pretti approached armed with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and resisted disarming. Multiple bystander videos, verified by outlets including CNN and The New York Times, show Pretti holding a cellphone—one hand raised—before being tackled, with the weapon removed from his waistband shortly before up to 10 shots were fired.
Susan Pretti, speaking alongside her husband Michael, described the moment she learned of her son’s death as shattering. The family received the news from a reporter rather than official channels, adding to their distress. In the interview, Susan attempted to reflect on Alex’s age and potential, saying, “He was only 37…” before emotion overwhelmed her. She later composed herself enough to share details of their last conversation days earlier, where Alex expressed determination to continue protesting despite risks. “He told us he had to do this… for the people who couldn’t,” she recounted, emphasizing his belief in standing up for vulnerable individuals targeted by ICE raids.
Michael Pretti echoed the sentiment, noting Alex’s recent shift toward activism after the January 7 shooting of Renee Nicole Good, another 37-year-old Minneapolis resident killed by an ICE agent. The parents described their son as increasingly concerned about family separations and aggressive tactics in the community, though he reassured them he was taking precautions. They rejected federal portrayals of Alex as a threat, calling claims he intended harm “reprehensible” and pointing to video evidence showing no gun in his hands during initial contact.
Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, graduating from Preble High School in 2006 before earning a degree from the University of Minnesota in biology, society, and the environment. He began working at the VA in research in 2014, later pursuing nursing to engage directly with patients. Colleagues remembered him as compassionate, quick-witted, and always willing to help, often bonding over shared interests like mountain biking. A 2024 video of Pretti delivering a bedside tribute to a deceased Air Force veteran—reading words about freedom and sacrifice—gained renewed attention after his death, highlighting his dedication to honoring service members.
The “He was only 37…” moment has amplified public sympathy and calls for accountability. Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel addressed the shooting in a monologue, choking up while describing Pretti as an ICU nurse who treated veterans—“about as patriotic as it gets”—and questioning the justification for lethal force after the weapon was secured. Celebrities including Ariana Grande and Kirsten Dunst have expressed outrage online, with many labeling the incident “terrifying” amid broader concerns over federal enforcement.
Pretti’s family has consistently disputed the official narrative, asserting misinformation from DHS. They noted his valid concealed carry permit, lack of criminal record, and non-violent history. Witnesses in related court filings described Pretti attempting to aid a woman being pepper-sprayed before agents engaged him physically. A prior reported encounter with agents—where he allegedly sustained a broken rib while observing a pursuit—may have heightened his resolve, though federal records deny documentation of that incident.
Investigations remain active, with the FBI reviewing body-worn camera footage, bystander videos, and forensic evidence from Pretti’s phone. Preliminary reports have not confirmed Pretti reaching for his firearm post-restraint. Some federal prosecutors reportedly resigned over perceived shifts in probe focus toward Pretti’s actions.
Protests in Minneapolis have continued, with vigils honoring Pretti alongside Good and others killed in federal encounters. Health care unions, veterans’ groups, and community organizations have expressed solidarity, holding moments of silence at the VA hospital. An honor walk—a ceremony typically for deceased veterans—was conducted for Pretti by colleagues, reflecting his status within the facility.
President Donald Trump has commented on the Minneapolis incidents, rejecting excessive force claims while requesting the departure of Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and signaling de-escalation. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey have urged federal withdrawal and full transparency, criticizing enforcement tactics and narratives around the shootings.
Susan Pretti’s unfinished sentence—“He was only 37…”—captures the raw grief of a family mourning a son in his prime. She described Alex as a “kindhearted soul” who cared deeply for family, friends, and veterans, whose activism stemmed from empathy rather than aggression. The truth that followed her pause—the affirmation of his convictions and final plea to help others—has struck a chord nationwide, humanizing the tragedy amid polarized debates.
As the case progresses, the Pretti family seeks closure through independent review and release of all evidence. For many, Susan’s words serve as a reminder of the human cost in national policy conflicts: a 37-year-old life ended abruptly, leaving behind grief that words alone cannot fully express.
