According to his relatives, he was an outdoor enthusiast, a loving individual, and someone who aspired to change the world.
However, more information on nurse Alex Pretti, who was shot and died on January 24 by federal Border Patrol officials, has also surfaced in the reporting.
Alex loved his Catahoula Leopard dog, Joule.
However, Joule was never able to learn what had happened to him, comprehend it, or bid farewell to her.
A few weeks after Renee Good was slain by an ICE agent, ICU nurse Alex Pretti, 37, was shot and killed on January 24 in the middle of a Minneapolis street. At first, the Department of Homeland Security said Pretti had a weapon and that federal officials had fired in self-defense. Nevertheless, Pretti is shown clutching a cell phone rather than a revolver in witness statements and on camera.
Pretti was employed at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis as an intensive care unit nurse. His family informed the Associated Press that he was extremely distressed by the city’s immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump.
According to his father, Michael Pretti, “he cared about people deeply and was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset.” “He believed that protesting was a means of demonstrating his concern for other people.”
Susan Pretti, his mother, emphasized that he was very passionate about the environment. She told AP, “He detested the fact that people were simply destroying the land.” He loved the great outdoors. Everywhere he went, he brought his dog. He loved this country, you know, but he detested the way others were treating it.
His last days with his cherished dog
Alex Pretti passed very suddenly at the age of 37, however his death isn’t the aspect of him that most people remember. It’s the depth of his affection, particularly the love he had for his dog.
Sadly, Alex had just lost Joule, his cherished Catahoula Leopard dog, who was always with him on adventures. Alex and Joule had an unbreakable friendship that extended beyond hiking treks, long travels, and even everyday routines.
I recall how adorable it was that, despite his dog’s advanced age and decreased mobility, he would be happy to take him outside to enjoy the fresh air. Alex would spend a lot of time sitting with his dog and petting him while he laid down. One neighbor told CBS, “You could tell he was very caring.”
Catahoulas are renowned for their intense protectiveness and devotion, developing strong, enduring relationships with the people they care about. They are full of intelligence and vitality, and they are always up for play, adventure, or any other challenge that puts their quick wits and athletic prowess to the test. However, underneath that untamed, vivacious façade is a tender, affectionate heart that is brimming with love for people they can trust.
The significance of the name Joule is considerably more profound. The same energy spike that defibrillators employ to restart a heart is known as a joule in science. It was more than just a name to Alex; it represented the love, vitality, and spark of life he had with his dog. It is the ideal name for a Catahoula, full of heart, strength, and an irrepressible energy, according to many on social media.
A few of small-scale traffic infractions
According to his relatives, Alex seemed to lead a tranquil, contented existence aside from hiking and outdoor exploration. Apart from a few minor traffic citations, he had no run-ins with the law, and court records attested to his lack of criminal background.
His Wisconsin-based parents advised him to keep careful a few weeks prior to the demonstrations. Michael Pretti remarked, “We had this conversation with him about two weeks ago, and basically, you know, go ahead and protest, but do not engage, do not do anything stupid.” And he claimed to be aware of that. He was aware of that.
The family also acknowledged that Alex possessed a weapon and a Minnesota carry permit, but they had never seen him carry it in public.
According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, Pretti was a legitimate gun owner, and the family’s story is consistent with police data.
The Prettis retaliated after viewing videos that called their kid a “domestic terrorist.” In a statement, they stated, “The administration’s sickening lies about our son are reprehensible and disgusting.” “Tell the truth about our son, please. He was a decent man.
Pretti had been involved in politics. According to his ex-wife, he was a Democratic voter who participated in demonstrations after George Floyd was killed in 2020.
She claimed that although he might yell at police during a demonstration, he had never engaged in physical combat.
Pretti was born in Illinois and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he participated in baseball, football, track, and scouting at Preble High School. He also sang in the Green Bay Boy Choir and was a Boy Scout. In 2011, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, society, and the environment from the University of Minnesota.
Before going back to school to become a registered nurse, he worked as a research scientist.
His parents noted that they had last spoken to Alex about the garage door repairs he had made a few days prior to the shooting. Alex showed his charity by leaving a $100 tip for a Latino man who assisted him.
A wonderful heart
Pretti was a cheerful, helpful, and amiable coworker at the VA, according to Dr. Dmitri Drekonja.
“He was the kind of guy you liked hanging around with, and the idea that this kind, jovial, smiling man was being called a terrorist? “It’s frustrating,” Drekonja remarked.
Pretti was described by her neighbors as calm, gentle, and kind. Sue Gitar, who lived below from him, described him as a beautiful person. He’s got a big heart. I never considered him to be a gun owner.
This event is incredibly heartbreaking. The love Alex had for Joule and his strong connection to nature—a link so pure, unshakable, and vibrant—make it even more agonizing. Hopefully, they cross the Rainbow Bridge and are reunited.
