Alex Pretti: Green Bay Native and ICU Nurse Killed in Minneapolis Shooting
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A 37-year-old man fatally shot by federal forces in Minneapolis on Saturday has been identified as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a Green Bay, Wisconsin native and intensive care nurse. The shooting, which is prompting calls for a full investigation, underscores the escalating tensions surrounding federal intervention in American cities and the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement.
A Life Dedicated to Service and Advocacy
Alex Pretti, a 2006 graduate of Green Bay’s Preble High School, dedicated his life to caring for others as a registered nurse at the Veterans Administration. Family members described him as deeply compassionate and profoundly disturbed by the immigration policies enacted during the Trump administration. “He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset,” said Michael Pretti, his father. “He felt that doing the protesting was a way to express that, you know, his care for others.”
Pretti’s commitment to community extended beyond his professional life. At Preble High School, he was a well-rounded student, participating in show choir, musicals, football, baseball, and track. He was also actively involved in the Boy Scouts and the Green Bay Boy Choir, demonstrating a lifelong dedication to service and the arts.
Protests and a Tragic Confrontation
In the weeks leading up to his death, Pretti had been participating in protests following the killing of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. The Department of Homeland Security stated that Pretti was shot after he “approached” U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun. However, officials have not clarified whether Pretti brandished the weapon, and bystander video of the incident, obtained by the Associated Press, does not clearly show the gun.
Family members confirmed that Pretti owned a handgun and possessed a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Minnesota, but stated they were unaware of him routinely carrying it. They expressed shock and grief upon learning of his death, initially receiving the news from an Associated Press reporter. “I can’t get any information from anybody,” Michael Pretti lamented on Saturday. “The police, they said call Border Patrol, Border Patrol’s closed, the hospitals won’t answer any questions?”
Calls for Transparency and Accountability
The shooting has ignited outrage and demands for a thorough investigation. Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich released a statement condemning the incident and calling for accountability. “Another American citizen is dead as the result of the federal government’s occupation of an American city, and the victim, Alex Pretti, was a graduate of a Green Bay high school,” Genrich stated. “Without knowing all the facts of the case, we can say with certainty that a full, transparent, and independent investigation must be conducted.”
Pretti’s background reveals a man with no criminal record and limited interactions with law enforcement, beyond a few traffic tickets. His parents recounted a recent conversation where they urged him to exercise caution while protesting, to which he assured them he understood the risks.
A Life Remembered
Beyond his activism and profession, Pretti was remembered by neighbors as a quiet, warmhearted individual who was always willing to lend a hand. He lived alone in a Minneapolis condominium and enjoyed spending time outdoors with his beloved Catahoula Leopard dog, Joule, who recently passed away. Neighbors noted his occasional visits to a gun range, but expressed surprise at the idea of him carrying a weapon on the streets.
Those who knew him spoke of his deep concern for the environment and his frustration with the direction the country was heading. His mother, Susan Pretti, shared that he “hated that, you know, people were just trashing the land,” and that he was a passionate outdoorsman who cherished his connection to nature. In a poignant example of his character, his parents recalled him recently giving a $100 tip to a Latino worker who repaired his garage door, demonstrating his empathy and support for the community.
Alex Pretti’s death serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of political polarization and the urgent need for dialogue and understanding. His life, dedicated to service and advocacy, leaves a lasting legacy of compassion and a call for justice.
