The parents of Alex Pretti have spoken publicly about their son following his death during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 24, offering a picture that sharply contrasts with official accounts. Pretti, 37, was an ICU nurse who worked with military veterans and was described by authorities as having approached officers while armed and resisting arrest.

Since that initial statement, multiple bystander videos and witness testimonies have emerged that challenge the government’s version of events. Several recordings appear to show Pretti holding a cellphone—not a firearm—before he was shot. His parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, said their last conversations with him were ordinary and kind, recalling that he had recently tipped a repair worker generously because he felt empathy for people amid heightened tensions in the city.

The family acknowledged that Pretti planned to attend protests related to immigration enforcement and said they urged him to remain cautious. According to witness affidavits, Pretti was filming the scene, raising his hands as pepper spray was deployed, and attempting to help a woman who had been pushed to the ground when agents moved in.

A pediatrician who witnessed the aftermath stated he tried to provide medical aid but was delayed while agents requested credentials, and he did not observe immediate lifesaving measures before emergency responders arrived. As investigations continue, Pretti’s parents are asking that his story be told accurately—based on evidence, accountability, and who their son truly was, rather than assumptions made in the chaos of the moment.