Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old Minneapolis man who lost his life during an encounter with federal immigration officers over the weekend, is being remembered by family, friends, and colleagues as a deeply compassionate healthcare worker whose life was centered on service to others.

According to relatives and co-workers, Pretti spent nearly five years working as an Intensive Care Unit nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, where he cared for critically ill U.S. veterans. Those who worked alongside him described a professional driven not by recognition, but by a genuine desire to improve patients’ lives.

“Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he served as an ICU nurse,” his parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, said in a written statement. “Alex wanted to make a difference in this world. Unfortunately, he will not be with us to see his impact.”

The parents’ statement emphasizes not only their grief, but also their rejection of official characterizations of their son. By describing his motivations and values, they present Alex as someone guided by empathy rather than hostility, a framing that stands in contrast to federal accounts of the incident.

Dr. Dimitri Drekonja, Chief of the Infectious Diseases Section at the Minneapolis VA, also publicly expressed his respect for Pretti, writing that he was “a good, kind person who lived to help.” Drekonja noted that Pretti worked closely with veterans facing life-threatening conditions, offering both medical expertise and emotional support during their most vulnerable moments.

A co-worker, who requested anonymity, said Pretti went beyond his clinical duties by researching ways to reduce preventable illnesses among veterans, including strategies to lower colon cancer risks. “He genuinely cared about outcomes,” the colleague said, adding that Pretti often discussed ways to improve long-term patient care.

Federal authorities stated that officers acted in self-defense during the confrontation, alleging that Pretti resisted while armed. However, Minneapolis police confirmed that Pretti was a lawful firearm owner with a valid permit, and court records show no criminal history beyond minor traffic and parking violations.

Pretti’s parents strongly disputed claims that their son posed a danger. In their statement, they said Alex was attempting to shield a woman who was near the officers at the time.

“The statements being made about our son are deeply painful and untrue,” the parents said. “He was a good man who believed in protecting others.”

Family members also revealed that Pretti had recently begun participating in public demonstrations opposing immigration enforcement practices, following the recent death of Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month. His father explained that Alex felt morally compelled to speak out.

“He cared about people deeply,” Michael Pretti said. “He was very upset by what was happening in Minneapolis and across the country, just like millions of other Americans.”

Michael Pretti added that the family had urged Alex to remain cautious while attending demonstrations. “We told him to protest peacefully and not engage,” he said. “He understood that. He knew that.”

Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, graduating from high school in 2006. According to colleagues, he worked at the VA hospital while putting himself through nursing school, later returning as a full-time staff nurse after earning his degree.

Neighbors also expressed shock and disbelief. Jeannie Wiener, who lives nearby and serves on the Lyndale Neighborhood Association’s crime and safety committee, described Pretti as friendly and approachable.

“He was always very pleasant, very cordial,” she said. “I never saw anything that made me think he could be a danger to anyone.”

As investigations continue, those who knew Alex Pretti say they hope public attention remains focused on the life he lived, not only the circumstances surrounding his death — a life defined by care, service, and concern for others.