Colleague Dimitri Drekonja Says ICU Nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti Had a Great Attitude Before Being Killed by Federal Agents in Minneapolis

The man killed by federal agents during a law enforcement operation in Minneapolis has been identified as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse and U.S. citizen. Pretti worked as an intensive care unit nurse at the Veterans Administration, where he cared for critically ill veterans.

According to his family, Pretti had no criminal record aside from minor traffic tickets. He legally owned a handgun and held a valid concealed carry permit, though relatives said they had never known him to carry the weapon. He was described as a compassionate healthcare worker who took pride in serving others.

Pretti was also known as an avid outdoorsman who loved adventure and spending time with his dog, Joule, who had recently passed away. Family members said he had been attending protests in recent weeks because he was deeply upset about the federal immigration crackdown in Minneapolis and the killing of another resident earlier this month.

One of Pretti’s colleagues, Dimitri Drekonja, shared a personal reflection following his death, highlighting Pretti’s character and work ethic. “Alex from our time working together, while he was in nursing school later, he moved to ICU, working as a nurse to support critically ill veterans,” Drekonja wrote. “He had such a great attitude.”

Pretti’s death has sparked outrage and renewed debate over federal law enforcement operations in the city. Local leaders have publicly criticized the conduct of federal agents, while state officials have called for Minnesota authorities to lead an independent investigation into the shooting.

As the investigation continues, those who knew Alex Jeffrey Pretti say they want him remembered not for the circumstances of his death, but for the life he lived — as a nurse, a colleague, and someone who cared deeply about his community.