A resurfaced video has shown Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti paying tribute to a veteran who died of lung cancer with an emotional ‘freedom speech’.
Alex Pretti, 37, was fatally gunned down by US Border Patrol agents on Saturday when they tried to detain him during a federal immigration enforcement operation.
His death has ignited nationwide outrage, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said agents acted in self‑defense against an armed Pretti, while footage of the shooting suggests otherwise.
Pretti was an intensive care nurse at Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Hospital, and in the wake of the horror, a moving video has emerged showing him honoring a fallen veteran as their body lay shrouded in an American flag.
‘Today we remember that freedom is not free, we have to work at it, nurture it, protect it, and even sacrifice for it,’ Pretti said in the 2024 video.
‘May we never forget and always remember, our brothers and sisters who have served, so that we may enjoy the gift of freedom.
‘In this moment we remember and give thanks to the dedication and selfless service to our nation in the cause of our freedom.
‘In this solemn hour, we render our honor and our gratitude.’
Alex Pretti, 37, was an intensive care nurse at Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Hospital, in this re-surfaced video from 2024, he pays tribute to a fallen veteran with a speech about freedom
The son of the deceased veteran shared the video on Facebook, despite never wanting to, he believes that Pretti’s words were ‘very on point’
An undated handout image of Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by US immigration agents as they tried to detain him in Minneapolis
The poignant moment was posted on Facebook by the veteran’s son, who wrote that he ‘never wanted to share this video but his speech is very on point.’
‘My father’s final words to me were continue to fight the good fight,’ the veteran’s son added.
‘He would be honored in Alex’s sacrifice, and ashamed of this current administration. In my dad’s words, I encourage you all to continue to “fight the good fight”.’
Hundreds of comments flooded the video, with many people criticizing the Trump administration and calling Pretti’s death an ‘execution.’
Others countered the DHS claims that he was a ‘domestic terrorist,’ and even compared them to Nazis.
‘Nazis killed an innocent Democrat man today cold blood. A gentle giant who put people first, lost today and they called him domestic terrorist,’ one comment read.
‘Does he sound like a domestic terrorist to you? He served our military as a nurse,’ another user wrote on X.
Meanwhile, others argued that Pretti should not have confronted law enforcement or attended the rally with a gun.
The 37-year-old gave a speech to the fallen veteran and the 2024 video was posted and re-surfaced by the veteran’s son
A screen grab of the ordeal, where enforcement officers piled onto Pretti in an attempt to detain him during a federal immigration operation
Pretti was armed with a loaded Sig Sauer P320 9mm pistol – which he had a legal permit to carry – when he allegedly tried to stop agents from arresting a woman before the scuffle ensued.
‘I live in Florida and we respect law-enforcement. We don’t bring loaded weapons and interfere with their investigations,’ one user wrote on X.
‘He had a gun. Agents had a split second to react to a life-threatening situation,’ another said.
High‑definition video of Saturday’s shooting has raised fresh questions about his death, as it appeared to show Pretti was disarmed and restrained moments before agents shot him multiple times.
The video findings appear to contradict claims by the DHS that Pretti ‘brandished’ a weapon or posed an immediate threat to officers.
Instead, the footage shows agents already restraining Pretti on the ground when his firearm was removed – moments before another agent shot him.
Adding to the scrutiny, a doctor who witnessed the aftermath from his nearby apartment said in an affidavit that federal agents delayed performing lifesaving aid.
The unidentified pediatrician claimed the agents appeared to be ‘counting his bullet wounds’ instead of administering CPR as Pretti lay critically wounded.
People paying their respects on Saturday during a candlelight vigil for the ICU nurse after he was fatally shot
Since the shooting, Pretti’s family has spoken out about their son’s character.
‘The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,’ the family said in a statement.
‘Alex is clearly not holding a gun when attacked by Trump’s murdering and cowardly ICE thugs.
‘He has his phone in his right hand and his empty left hand is raised above his head while trying to protect the woman ICE just pushed down all while being pepper sprayed.
They pleaded to ‘get the truth out’ about their son, and emphasized he was ‘a good man.’
