The sensational 37-second video circulating online claims to reveal a shocking side of Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old ICU nurse fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. The clip, which has amassed millions of views across social media platforms, purports to show Pretti as a “notorious partygoer” frequenting Minneapolis bars night after night, culminating in a dramatic moment at the 29-second mark where he and his friends appear in a state of extreme euphoria—leading viewers to speculate wildly about drugs, reckless behavior, or hidden motives that allegedly contributed to his confrontation with federal agents.
Yet a closer examination reveals this narrative as a classic case of misinformation and selective editing in the heated aftermath of a politically charged tragedy. Far from exposing a double life of debauchery, the so-called “party video” appears to be either heavily manipulated, misattributed, or entirely unrelated footage repurposed to smear Pretti’s character amid the national uproar over his death. This tactic fits a broader pattern seen in high-profile incidents involving federal law enforcement, protests, and immigration enforcement under the Trump administration—where viral clips are weaponized to shift blame from authorities to the victim.
The Gentle Healer: Who Alex Pretti Really Was
Alex Jeffrey Pretti was born in Illinois and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, before building a career dedicated to caring for others. As an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System—a facility serving military veterans—Pretti was known for his compassion, composure under pressure, and deep respect for patients. Colleagues and family described him as a “true American hero” who treated every individual with dignity.
One viral video from 2024, unrelated to the party claims, captured Pretti performing last rites for a dying Air Force veteran. In the footage, he stands calmly beside the bed, offering comfort and reciting words of gratitude: “Freedom is not free. We have to work at it.” Nurses who worked alongside him recalled how he brought a “sense of calm” to chaotic ICU environments, often going beyond duty to honor veterans’ service. His sister, Micayla Pretti, told reporters he “touched more lives than he probably ever realized,” emphasizing his commitment to healing rather than any nightlife exploits.
Pretti was also a licensed gun owner who carried responsibly under Minnesota law, a detail that became central to conflicting accounts of his death but never suggested a propensity for violence.
The Fatal Encounter: What the Evidence Shows
On the morning of January 24, 2026, federal immigration agents—part of an intensified enforcement operation in Minneapolis—conducted activities that drew protesters to the streets. Multiple bystander videos, verified by outlets including The New York Times, NBC News, BBC Verify, and ABC News, captured the sequence of events.
Pretti arrived at the scene wearing a brown jacket, black baseball cap, and sunglasses. Footage shows him holding a cellphone—clearly visible in his hand—while recording the agents and possibly directing traffic or assisting others. Witnesses described him attempting to de-escalate tensions after agents shoved demonstrators and deployed pepper spray. In one angle, Pretti steps in to help a sprayed protester, hands raised defensively.
Agents then tackled him to the ground amid the scuffle. Videos show officers pinning him, with one briefly disarming what appeared to be his legally carried Sig P320 handgun from its holster. Seconds later, two federal officers fired a total of 10 shots in under five seconds, striking Pretti multiple times (including in the back, chest, and possibly neck, per preliminary medical reports). He died at the scene despite attempts at aid.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially claimed Pretti approached agents armed and posed an imminent threat, labeling him a potential “domestic terrorist” intent on harming law enforcement. Secretary Kristi Noem described him as arriving “to kill law enforcement.” However, at least four independent videos contradict this: Pretti’s hands are empty or holding a phone during initial approach, with no visible weapon until after he was restrained.
This discrepancy fueled outrage, protests in Minneapolis and beyond (including Chicago), and calls from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, local officials, and even some Republicans for an independent investigation. The agents involved were placed on administrative leave, and Pretti’s family retained high-profile attorneys (those involved in the George Floyd case) to pursue accountability.
The “Party Video” Myth: Disinformation in Action
The 37-second clip in question—often shared with captions like “night after night Alex appeared as a notorious partygoer”—does not depict Pretti at all, according to fact-checks and visual analysis. Similar to earlier misidentifications (e.g., photo collages wrongly linking him to unrelated individuals in drag or other contexts), this footage seems sourced from generic bar scenes or mislabeled content.
No credible reports tie Pretti to habitual heavy partying or substance abuse. Searches for authentic videos of him in bars yield nothing matching the description. Instead, the clip exploits the “euphoric moment at second 29” trope—common in viral shock content—to imply intoxication or criminality that “explains” his presence at the protest or alleged resistance.
This mirrors tactics used in other cases: cherry-picking or fabricating personal details to humanize law enforcement while demonizing victims. In Pretti’s case, it distracts from core issues—the rapid escalation during an immigration raid, conflicting federal narratives, and the death of a U.S. citizen and veteran caregiver.
Broader Implications: A Nation Divided
Pretti’s killing marked the second fatal shooting of a 37-year-old American by federal agents in Minneapolis that month (following Renee Nicole Good on January 7). It intensified debates over Trump’s immigration crackdown, sanctuary city policies, and federal overreach in blue states like Minnesota.
From one perspective, the incident underscores risks agents face in volatile protests. From another, videos suggest excessive force and misleading statements from officials. Bipartisan calls emerged for transparency, with some Republicans questioning DHS rhetoric that risked eroding public trust in law enforcement.
Pretti’s story—once defined by quiet heroism in hospital rooms—became a flashpoint. His family pleads: “Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.” As investigations continue, the real video evidence points not to a party animal, but to a compassionate nurse caught in a tragic, disputed encounter with federal power.
