You won’t believe the heartbreaking way a VA hospital just honored their own ICU nurse after he was gunned down… 😢💔

They didn’t just send flowers or hold a quiet memorial.

They did something they’ve ONLY ever done for fallen VETERANS.

The entire staff lined the hallways in complete silence—an honor walk usually reserved for the bravest who served our country… but this time, it was for one of their own.

Alex Pretti, the compassionate nurse who once delivered a powerful final salute to a dying veteran (that video is going mega-viral right now), was shot dead by federal agents in Minneapolis.

What did his coworkers think was so special about him that he deserved the same goodbye as the heroes he cared for?

The 7 words that captured it all from those who knew him best…

Colleagues at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System paid a poignant tribute to 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti this week, lining hospital hallways in a silent “honor walk” – a ceremony traditionally held for deceased veterans – to commemorate their fallen coworker who was fatally shot by a federal agent on January 24, 2026.

Pretti, who worked in the intensive care unit caring for critically ill veterans, was killed during an encounter with U.S. Border Patrol officers in south Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security stated that agents were conducting an operation when Pretti approached them armed with a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and resisted efforts to disarm him, leading to the shooting in self-defense. However, circulating videos of the incident have raised questions about the sequence of events, with some showing no visible weapon in Pretti’s hands during initial physical contact.

The honor walk at the VA hospital drew attention as an unusual gesture for a staff member. Hamida M. Haitova, a VA medical worker, posted on social media: “Every time a veteran passes away in the hospital, this is how we say goodbye. Staff from all departments line the halls to honor the bravest among us: the veterans who served this country.” On this occasion, the tribute extended to Pretti, reflecting the high regard in which he was held by peers.

Pretti joined the Minneapolis VA as a research assistant in 2014 after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in biology, society, and the environment. He later pursued nursing, earning his registered nurse license in January 2021, and transitioned to frontline ICU work, where he cared for some of the hospital’s sickest patients, many of them veterans.

Colleagues remembered Pretti as an outstanding nurse with a quick wit, infectious positivity, and unwavering commitment to patient care. Dr. Dmitri Drekonja, chief of infectious diseases at the VA and a longtime collaborator, described Pretti as someone who “put people at ease” and was always asking, “What can I do to help?” The two bonded over shared interests like mountain biking, often exchanging trail recommendations during lunch breaks.

Pretti’s dedication extended beyond daily duties. In December 2024, he delivered a moving final salute to a deceased veteran patient, Terrance Lee Randolph, an Air Force veteran who passed away at the facility. A video of the moment, shared by Randolph’s son Mac on social media following Pretti’s death, shows Pretti reading a tribute at the bedside: “Today we remember that freedom is not free. We have to work at it, nurture it, protect it and even sacrifice for it. May we never forget and always remember our brothers and sisters who have served, so that we may enjoy the gift of freedom.”

Mac Randolph posted the clip, noting Pretti’s compassion during his father’s final days, including guiding the family through end-of-life decisions and providing pain relief. “He was the sweetest person you can imagine,” Randolph wrote, adding that his father would have been “honored in Alex’s sacrifice.”

The tribute video gained widespread attention online after Pretti’s shooting, amplifying stories of his character amid national debate over the incident. Pretti’s family issued a statement expressing profound grief and anger, describing him as a “kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse.” They asserted he “wanted to make a difference in this world” and criticized what they called misinformation from officials.

Pretti was also active in community issues. Reports indicate he participated in protests related to federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis, following the earlier fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agents on January 7, 2026. His family noted he was “very upset” with ICE operations, aligning with broader public concerns in the area.

In the aftermath of Pretti’s death, vigils and demonstrations occurred across Minneapolis and other cities, with health care workers, nurses’ unions, and veterans’ groups expressing solidarity. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Professional Local 3669, representing VA professionals, stated Pretti “dedicated his life to serving American veterans” and called the tragedy part of a larger context. National organizations like the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the Oregon Nurses Association issued condolences, emphasizing nurses’ ethical duty to advocate against perceived injustices.

At the Minneapolis VA, support poured in from across the metro area. ICU staff received flowers, cards, and meal donations from fellow health care workers. While no public memorial was immediately planned at the hospital, the internal honor walk served as a private farewell.

Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he participated in sports, Boy Scouts, and choir. After college, he worked in research before returning to school for nursing. Colleagues said he sought clinical work to be “closer to the frontlines of helping people.”

The shooting has sparked renewed scrutiny of federal agent operations, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz describing Pretti as a valued caregiver and community member who exercised his First Amendment rights. President Donald Trump reportedly requested the departure of a top immigration official in Minneapolis amid backlash.

Investigations continue into the circumstances of Pretti’s death, including review of video evidence and witness accounts. Pretti had no criminal record and held a valid gun permit, according to authorities.

For many at the VA hospital, the honor walk was more than ritual—it was recognition of a colleague who embodied the same selflessness he honored in veterans. As one VA worker put it, Pretti’s care for “the bravest among us” made him deserving of the same respect in return.