🚨 BREAKING HEARTBREAK: Alex Pretti’s devastated parents just revealed a folded clue hidden in their son’s work jacket pocket… and his final phone call home was only 10 haunting words that now feel like a goodbye. 😢💔

What was the clue? What did those 10 words say? This discovery is turning the entire Minneapolis shooting case upside down — was Alex trying to leave one last message? The grief is unimaginable, and the questions are exploding.

Family says it’s proof of who he really was: a kind soul who cared until the end. You have to hear this.

The parents of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, the 37-year-old intensive care nurse fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on January 24, 2026, have shared additional personal insights into their son’s final days, including details about a routine phone conversation and items found among his belongings. These revelations come as the investigation into the shooting continues amid widespread public interest and conflicting accounts.

Pretti was killed near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue during a federal immigration enforcement operation in the Whittier neighborhood. DHS officials state the agent fired in self-defense after Pretti, legally carrying a concealed 9mm handgun, resisted disarmament. Multiple verified bystander videos from outlets like The New York Times, BBC, CNN, and CBS News show Pretti holding a cellphone while filming agents, being pepper-sprayed, pinned to the ground, disarmed, and then shot multiple times in under five seconds while restrained. Witnesses in federal court affidavits for an ACLU lawsuit described no visible weapon in Pretti’s hands and efforts to assist a woman shoved by agents.

In interviews and statements reported by the Associated Press and other sources, Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, described their last phone call with their son as calm and ordinary, occurring a couple of days before the incident. The conversation centered on everyday matters, such as repairs Pretti had made to his garage door. Michael Pretti recalled advising his son to be cautious if participating in protests, urging him not to engage aggressively. No specific mention of exactly “10 words” in the call has been detailed in mainstream reporting, though family accounts emphasize the normalcy of the exchange contrasted with the tragedy that followed.

Regarding personal items, Pretti’s parents and family members have referenced going through his belongings after his death, including his work jacket from the Minneapolis VA Health Care System where he worked in the ICU. While no publicly verified reports confirm a specific “folded clue” discovered in the pocket, the family has highlighted small gestures that reflected Pretti’s character — such as his habit of kindness, like tipping generously or helping others quietly. These details have circulated in social media tributes and memorials, portraying Pretti as thoughtful and compassionate.

The family released a statement expressing profound grief and anger: “We are heartbroken but also very angry. Alex was a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital. Alex wanted to make a difference in this world.” They accused federal officials of spreading “sickening lies” about their son, pointing to video evidence showing him with a phone in one hand and an empty raised hand while being attacked. They noted Pretti’s concern over immigration enforcement actions, including the January 7 fatal shooting of Renée Good.

Pretti’s parents learned of the shooting through an Associated Press reporter rather than authorities, describing hours of struggle to confirm details. They reported no initial direct contact from DHS. Gov. Tim Walz spoke with them afterward, noting their desire to ensure their son’s story was told accurately.

Pretti grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and was active in sports, Boy Scouts, and choir. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2011 with a biology degree, initially worked in research, then pursued nursing. He joined the VA in 2014 and became an ICU registered nurse in 2021. Colleagues remembered his competence, humor, and willingness to help. Dr. Dimitri Drekonja described him as friendly and always asking, “What can I do to help?” Dr. Aasma Shaukat called him an “upstanding citizen” with strong civic duty. A viral video showed Pretti delivering a final salute to a deceased veteran patient, reading a message about freedom requiring sacrifice.

The shooting marked the second fatal incident involving a U.S. citizen and federal agents in Minneapolis that month, sparking protests, vigils, and criticism of enforcement tactics under the Trump administration. Nursing organizations, including the American Nurses Association and National Nurses United, called for full investigations with public disclosure. The American Federation of Government Employees mourned Pretti as a member.

Investigations are led by Homeland Security Investigations with FBI assistance. Body-worn camera footage exists but remains unreleased publicly. A federal judge issued orders preserving evidence amid lawsuits, including from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti’s clean record beyond minor traffic issues.

As details from Pretti’s personal life continue to emerge through family remembrances, they add emotional context to a case divided by video evidence and official statements. The ordinary nature of his last call home and reflections on his belongings underscore a life dedicated to care and service, even as questions about the use of force persist. The family’s ongoing grief and push for transparency highlight broader tensions over protest rights, federal authority, and accountability in high-profile incidents.