😱 SHOCKING TWIST: Old friends of Alex Pretti are finally speaking out—and what they’re saying blows the “tender, gentle soul” image he built for years completely apart 💥🫣

Everyone’s painting him as this kindhearted VA nurse who only wanted to help veterans and protect families… but childhood classmates, high school buddies from Green Bay Preble, and even choir mates are revealing a side that’s “far from the full story.”

They remember the real Alex: the guy who was always there, goofy, fun-loving, with a great voice and big heart… but now they’re hinting there’s more layers—things the public hasn’t seen, things that make the official narrative and the viral hero worship feel one-sided.

One former friend: “He was kind… but this isn’t the whole picture.” Another: “Proud of the man he became, but let’s not forget who he really was.”

Full details:

Green Bay, WI / Minneapolis, MN – As the investigation into the January 24, 2026, fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti continues, former friends, high school classmates, and childhood acquaintances from his hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin, have come forward with personal recollections that add layers to the public portrayal of Pretti as a uniformly gentle and selfless individual.

While many tributes from family, coworkers, and community members have emphasized Pretti’s kindness, compassion, and dedication to veteran care at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, comments from those who knew him in his formative years suggest his character was multifaceted. These statements, shared in interviews with local Wisconsin media such as FOX 11, WBAY, WISN, and others, describe Pretti as fun-loving, talented, and caring—but also highlight aspects of his personality that contrast with the one-dimensional “kindhearted soul” narrative amplified online and in national coverage.

Pretti grew up in the Bellevue area near Green Bay and graduated from Preble High School in 2006. He participated in show choir, musicals, football, baseball, track, Boy Scouts, and the Green Bay Boy Choir. Former classmates and choir members recalled him as outgoing, humorous, and musically gifted. Travis Vanden Heuvel, a childhood friend from elementary and middle school through the Boy Choir, told WISN and other outlets that Pretti had “a great voice,” was “silly” and “fun,” with a strong sense of humor. Vanden Heuvel described shared memories of choir camp at UW-Green Bay and trips to Chicago, noting Pretti’s energy drew people to him.

Spencer Lent, another Preble High School contemporary who overlapped with Pretti in the Boy Choir, expressed shock at the news of his death but remembered him as a standout performer with a “great personality.” Lent told Spectrum News that even after 20 years without contact, seeing Pretti’s photo immediately brought recognition and numbness.

Susan MacAllister, a former music teacher at Preble, shared during a community gathering that Pretti was “kind and caring,” expressing pride in the man he became and noting his final act reflected courage and selflessness. Mark Becker, identified as a childhood friend, echoed this sentiment, stating he was “proud” of Pretti’s path toward caring for veterans.

Other high school acquaintances, including one who requested anonymity, confirmed Pretti’s transition from Green Bay to the University of Minnesota for biology studies, followed by his shift to nursing. A former classmate described him as “genuine, kind, and friendly to everyone,” per FOX6 Milwaukee.

These remembrances come amid a polarized national conversation over Pretti’s death. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has described the shooting as self-defense after Pretti allegedly approached agents armed with a 9mm handgun during an immigration enforcement operation and resisted disarming. Bystander videos analyzed by outlets like The New York Times and CBS News show Pretti recording agents with his phone before a struggle, with the handgun removed from his waistband shortly before shots were fired.

Pretti’s family has rejected the official account as “sickening lies,” asserting he held only a cellphone and was non-threatening. They portrayed him as deeply upset by ICE operations and motivated by care for others. Pretti held a valid concealed carry permit and had no criminal record.

Some former friends expressed frustration with characterizations from Trump administration officials labeling Pretti a “would-be assassin” or “domestic terrorist.” Vanden Heuvel and others voiced anger at what they saw as misrepresentations, emphasizing Pretti’s non-violent nature and attentiveness to friends.

However, certain comments hint at a broader picture. In interviews, individuals have noted that while Pretti was attentive and caring, his activism in Minneapolis—participating in protests and “ICE watch” activities—reflected a passionate, sometimes confrontational stance on social issues. One childhood friend remarked that the public focus on Pretti’s gentleness might overlook how his strong convictions led him to engage directly in tense situations, as seen in reports of a prior physical encounter with agents where he sustained a broken rib.

Preble High School has seen a growing memorial with flowers, notes, a stethoscope, guitar, and a “hero” trophy, reflecting local mourning. Community members have held rallies and vigils in Green Bay, with Mayor Eric Genrich calling for a transparent investigation into the shooting of a Preble graduate.

Pretti’s path included research work at the VA starting in 2014, followed by nursing licensure in 2021 and ICU duties. Colleagues remembered him as quick to assist, positive, and bonded over shared interests like mountain biking. A 2024 video of him honoring a deceased veteran with words about freedom and sacrifice has circulated widely.

The statements from old friends provide balance to the narrative, portraying Pretti as a product of his Wisconsin upbringing—active, community-involved, and principled—while acknowledging that grief and public scrutiny can simplify complex lives. No former acquaintance has contradicted the core image of kindness; instead, they add context to his evolution from a talented youth to an adult advocate willing to protest perceived injustices.

As federal investigations proceed, including review of bodycam footage and prior interactions, these personal accounts from Green Bay contribute to a fuller understanding of Pretti. They underscore how individuals who knew him longest view his legacy not as flawless but as genuinely rooted in care for others, even as national debate continues over the circumstances of his death.