Minneapolis, MN — As the investigation into the January 2026 shooting of ICU nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti continues to unfold, former colleagues and friends are coming forward with emotional accounts of the man behind the headlines. Among the most poignant tributes is the reflection of a former coworker who worked with Pretti during his early days in nursing school — and later watched him grow into a dedicated intensive care nurse supporting critically ill Veterans.

Their recollection offers a humanizing counterbalance to the controversy and political tension surrounding Pretti’s death, bringing renewed attention to the life he lived rather than the circumstances of his final moments.

Early Years: From Nursing Student to Colleague

According to the former colleague, their professional relationship began when Pretti entered nursing school and took his first steps into the medical field. Even at that early stage, the colleague said, Pretti stood out not only for his academic dedication but for his warmth, enthusiasm, and the grounded attitude he brought to every shift.

“Alex from our time working together, while he was in nursing school,” the colleague recalled. “He had such a great attitude. Always upbeat. Always willing to learn.”

Those who encountered Pretti during this period describe him as someone who was exceptionally approachable — a rare combination of calm focus and easy humor that lifted the morale of those around him.

Moving to the ICU: A Career Built on Service

After completing his training, Pretti moved to the intensive care unit at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, where he worked with veterans facing life-threatening conditions. His colleague remembers the transition well.

“Later, he moved to ICU, working as a nurse to support critically ill Veterans,” they said. “He carried that same attitude with him — positive, professional, steady.”

Working in the ICU is widely regarded as one of the most demanding roles in healthcare. It requires intensive training, emotional resilience, and the ability to make critical decisions under pressure. By all accounts, Pretti excelled in these areas — not only meeting the technical expectations of his role but also bringing humanity to patients and families during their most vulnerable moments.

Coworkers have said that Pretti’s presence reassured families and teammates alike. His calm tone, reflective listening, and steady hands made him someone others naturally trusted.

A Friendship Outside the Hospital Walls

Pretti and his colleague did not just work together — they shared personal interests that became a foundation for friendship. Among them was a mutual love for mountain biking, a pastime they often discussed during breaks between patient rounds.

“We’d chat between patients about trying to get in a mountain bike ride together,” the colleague said. “Will never happen now.”

The simplicity of the memory — two coworkers talking about life beyond the hospital — has struck many readers and fellow healthcare workers. It represents the universal rhythms of friendship: plans, hopes, and moments that seem small but become deeply meaningful in hindsight.

Loss Felt Across the Medical Community

The colleague’s tribute comes at a time when the Minneapolis medical community continues to grieve Pretti’s death. Beyond the controversies, demonstrations, and national discussions, coworkers describe a more intimate sense of loss — the absence of a teammate whose energy once filled the halls of the VA hospital.

Nurses have shared stories of Pretti staying late to help with complex cases, comforting distressed patients, and mentoring younger trainees who were intimidated by the intensity of ICU work.

For many, his death is not just a news event — it is a personal loss.

A Life Cut Short

The colleague’s statement underscores how sudden and devastating Pretti’s death was for those who knew him. Plans that seemed effortless — a weekend mountain biking trip, a casual lunch, another shared shift — have now become permanent reminders of a life interrupted.

“He was the kind of person you thought would always be around,” the colleague noted. “Always helping someone. Always bringing some positivity to the day.”

Pretti’s family has echoed this sentiment, describing him as someone who deeply valued service, personal integrity, and care for others.

Humanizing a National Story

While the broader public discussion surrounding Pretti’s death has focused on law enforcement conduct, legal disputes, and conflicting federal narratives, the colleague’s tribute shifts the spotlight back to the human being at the center of the tragedy.

Stories like these highlight the profound disconnect between public debate and the personal grief experienced by friends, coworkers, and loved ones. They remind readers that behind every headline is a person with relationships, hobbies, dreams, and plans — many of which will remain forever unfinished.

A Reminder of the Human Cost

As the legal and political fallout continues, the colleague’s reflection has resonated widely because it captures something universally relatable: the ache of unfulfilled moments.

Whether or not the mountain bike trip was ever scheduled, it symbolized a friendship built on trust, shared work, and respect — the kind of relationship that forms in countless hospitals, clinics, and workplaces across the country.

The former colleague still works in the medical field and says the loss has left a lasting impact on how they view their work, their friendships, and the moments of connection that often go unnoticed.

Conclusion

The story of Alex Pretti — both his life and his death — continues to affect communities across Minneapolis and beyond. While legal debates and investigations will shape the public understanding of what happened, reflections like the one shared by his former colleague ensure that the personal legacy of Pretti remains central.

A nurse.
A colleague.
A friend.
A man who planned a mountain bike ride that will never come.

As the colleague said, “Will never happen now.” Their words capture the human cost of a life cut short — and the enduring grief of those left behind.