Minneapolis, MN – January 29, 2026 – In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the already volatile case surrounding the death of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, a former patient has come forward with explosive accusations of abuse during his time at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous for her safety until now, claims that fear of retaliation and intense pressure from hospital administrators kept her silent for months—until a leaked segment of internal hospital security footage surfaced online late last week.
The 45-second clip, which has rapidly gone viral on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and fringe news aggregators, purportedly shows Pretti in a dimly lit patient room engaging in what the accuser describes as “inappropriate and coercive physical contact” with a vulnerable elderly veteran under his care. At the 32-second mark, viewers can see a figure matching Pretti’s build leaning over the bed, with movements that appear forceful and non-consensual according to the woman’s account. The footage is grainy and lacks clear audio, but the timestamp aligns with a night shift in late 2025—months before Pretti’s fatal encounter with federal agents on January 24.
“I was terrified,” the former patient told reporters in an exclusive interview granted under condition of anonymity. “He was the one everyone trusted—the calm, compassionate nurse who ‘saved lives.’ But late at night, when no one else was around, it was different. He made comments that crossed lines, touched me in ways that made me feel trapped. I reported it internally, but they said there was ‘no evidence’ and warned me about defamation suits if I went public. I stayed quiet because I was sick, scared, and didn’t want to lose my VA benefits. Seeing him portrayed as a hero after what happened… I couldn’t take it anymore. The video changed everything.”
The accuser says the motive behind Pretti’s alleged behavior was “power and control,” exploiting his position in the ICU where patients were often sedated, immobile, or heavily medicated. She claims there were “multiple incidents” involving herself and at least two other patients she knows of, though no formal complaints from others have surfaced publicly yet.
Investigators from the VA’s Office of Inspector General, already reviewing Pretti’s employment records in light of the shooting, are now dissecting the leaked footage frame by frame. Sources close to the probe say forensic enhancement is underway to clarify details, including facial recognition confirmation and cross-referencing with shift logs. One law enforcement official familiar with the matter described a “chilling moment” around the 32-second mark where the patient’s arm appears restrained unnaturally, leaving viewers stunned and prompting renewed calls for a full audit of Pretti’s patient interactions.
This revelation comes amid intense scrutiny of Pretti’s death. On January 24, Border Patrol agents shot and killed him during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Bystander videos showed Pretti recording agents with his cellphone, assisting a pepper-sprayed protester, and being tackled before officers fired multiple rounds. DHS initially claimed he posed an imminent threat with a firearm, but independent analyses have questioned that narrative.
The new allegation has fueled a firestorm online. Supporters of strict immigration enforcement argue it undermines the “gentle hero” image promoted by Pretti’s family, unions like AFGE Local 3669, and figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who highlighted his veteran advocacy. Critics call the footage “selective” or potentially manipulated, pointing to a pattern of debunked smears—including false claims Pretti was fired for misconduct from a nonexistent “Lakeshore Medical Center.”
Pretti’s family has vehemently denied the accusations. In a statement, his father Michael Pretti said: “These are vicious lies meant to distract from the real injustice—our son was gunned down while trying to help someone. He dedicated his life to caring for veterans, not harming them. Any ‘leaked’ video is being weaponized by those who want to justify federal overreach.”
The Minneapolis VA issued a brief statement: “We take all allegations seriously and are cooperating fully with authorities. Patient privacy laws prevent us from commenting on specific individuals, but no prior substantiated complaints against Mr. Pretti were on record prior to his passing.”
Legal experts warn that even if the footage proves authentic, it may not directly relate to the shooting—but it could influence public perception and any civil wrongful death suit filed by Pretti’s family against DHS. Protests continue in Minneapolis and other cities, with calls for body cam release and independent probes into both the shooting and now these professional misconduct claims.
As the investigation deepens, one thing is clear: what began as a flashpoint over immigration policy has morphed into a broader examination of trust, power, and truth in America’s healthcare and law enforcement systems. The 32-second mark in that grainy clip has left the nation searching for answers—and the full story may be far from over.
