Alex Pretti’s ‘life was just starting,’ mentor says
Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis.

Tensions rise in Minneapolis over 2nd shooting death by federal agents
Tensions rise in Minneapolis over 2nd shooting death by federal agentsThe Trump administration called the ICU nurse, Alex Pretti, a domestic terrorist who intended to attack law enforcement.
Department Of Veterans Affairs via Reuters
A doctor who mentored and worked with Alex Pretti described him as “a good citizen” whose “life was just starting.”
Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse for the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was shot and killed by Border Patrol officers in Minneapolis on Saturday. Multiple videos of the confrontation showed federal agents spraying Pretti with a substance and pinning him to the ground before the shooting.
Dr. Aasma Shaukat, who first hired Pretti as a research assistant at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System over 10 years ago, called the loss “devastating.”
Shaukat told ABC News she hired Pretti, despite his lack of experience, because he was “eager to learn.”

An undated handout image of Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by U.S. immigration agents as they tried to detain him in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 25, 2026.
Department Of Veterans Affairs via Reuters
Minneapolis shooting live updates: Witness describes shooting in federal court filing
“He didn’t have any experience, but he was very, very eager to get the position and learn on the job and then eventually launch a career in health care,” Shaukat said. “He worked hard, he was willing to learn on the job. Really had a good work ethic.”
While working as a research assistant, Pretti delivered pizza to make ends meet and often joked that his car was too old to qualify for Uber, Shaukat said.
Shaukat said she wrote Pretti’s recommendation for nursing school.
He later returned to the VA to work as a nurse in the ICU where he was “really good” at speaking with patients, Shaukat said.

People mourn at a makeshift memorial in the area where 37-year-old Alex Pretti was shot dead by federal immigration agents earlier in the day in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
What we know about Alex Pretti, VA nurse killed by federal agent in Minneapolis
“He was just somebody you could talk to because he would get it,” she said.
Tensions are continuing to escalate in Minneapolis in the wake of Pretti’s shooting.
The Department of Homeland Security alleged that Pretti approached Border Patrol agents with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and “violently resisted” when agents tried to disarm him. However, a witness said in a federal court filing that after an agent shoved a woman to the ground, Pretti appeared to try to help the woman up, and then agents threw Pretti to the ground and shot him. Local officials are accusing federal officials of rushing to “spin” the story.

People mourn as they gather at the site where a man was fatally shot by federal agents trying to detain him, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 24, 2026.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Shaukat called the shooting “senseless,” adding, “I do not see him as being a troublemaker, an instigator looking for trouble, or seeking to incite violence … I truly think he was doing it out of his duty of citizenship and his civic sense.”
Shaukat said she last spoke to Pretti during the summer.
“He said things were looking good,” she said. “He finally had enough money to do repairs on his house. And I feel like his life was just starting.”
News
😭 HEARTBREAK ACROSS THE NATION New details have emerged surrounding the three lives tragically lost at sea, bringing renewed sorrow to a story that has touched so many hearts 🕯. The emotional accounts of their final moments are leaving people across the country devastated, as loved ones continue to mourn an unimaginable loss. 💔 Full story and updates in the comments below 👇
TEARS FOR THE FALLEN: The HEARTBREAKING Truth Behind The Three Lives Lost At Sea Is Revealed The bodies of three women have been recovered from the sea in Brighton. Sussex Police was called at around 5.45am today following concerns for the welfare of the trio. Marine conservation products Their bodies were later discovered in the water […]
💔 Community Outrage Erupts After Disturbing Reports Involving Family of Kumanjayi Little Baby A wave of heartbreak and anger is spreading across the community following troubling reports involving the immediate family of the late Kumanjayi Little Baby. According to emerging claims, the family has allegedly been left without stable support, sparking fierce concern and outrage among community members who say charitable goodwill may have been mishandled or exploited. The emotional situation has triggered widespread calls for accountability, transparency, and urgent assistance for those affected, as supporters rally together demanding answers and meaningful action. Many locals are now urging others to learn more about the situation and help support the family during an incredibly difficult time. 👇
Kumanjayi Little Baby’s family left broke and homeless as Indigenous charity refuses transparency over donations Kumanjayi Little Baby’s family broke and homeless – as Indigenous body which ran fundraiser refuses to release figures or be transparent about the donations It has been almost a month since their little girl was allegedly snatched from her bed […]
Only hours after celebrating one of the biggest moments of her life, 18-year-old Ashlin Knuth was involved in a devastating crash that ended everything far too soon. Family photos, flowers, and graduation memories instantly became heartbreaking reminders of a future that never got the chance to begin. As investigators continue searching for answers, painful questions are spreading online. What happened after graduation? Was speed involved? Were there celebrations before the crash? Authorities have not confirmed whether alcohol played any role, but the uncertainty has only deepened the heartbreak surrounding this tragedy. Now candles, flowers, and emotional tributes continue appearing as people remember a young woman whose next chapter was only beginning… and whose final hours have left so many unanswered questions. 👉 Read the full story below ⬇️
She Crossed the Graduation Stage… Hours Later, Her Name Became a Memory Only hours before everything changed, 18-year-old Ashlin Knuth stood in a graduation gown surrounded by smiles, flowers, cameras, and the overwhelming feeling that an entire future had finally opened in front of her. Family members watched proudly as she received her diploma, friends […]
End of content
No more pages to load







