Remembering Alex Pretti: Grief, Care, and Community in a Painful Moment

Content note: This post discusses the killing of Alex Pretti, state violence, immigration enforcement, protest-related trauma, and collective grief. Please take care while reading, and feel free to pause or step away if needed.

What Happened

On January 24, 2026, Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse and U.S. citizen working at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis amid a federal immigration enforcement operation. Videos reviewed by news outlets show Pretti filming the scene on his phone and moving toward officers to aid another protester, with no publicly available evidence indicating he posed a threat before being tackled and shot.

This marked the second fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis in recent weeks, following the earlier killing of Renée Good on January 7, 2026, during an operation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Pretti’s family and colleagues describe him as a compassionate caregiver who cared deeply about human dignity, social justice, and his community.

Naming the Emotional Impact: What Clients May Be Feeling

Following Alex Pretti’s killing, I've had clients reach out to me expressing various emotions (disgust, anger, fear). I myself have been going through various emotions, and it’s difficult not to give in to a sense of helplessness given what is happening.

This event, like Renée Good’s death, has left many people experiencing shock, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, and grief. These responses are real, valid, and understandable in the face of senseless violence, especially for those who identify with Pretti’s values or see themselves reflected in his professional commitment to healing.

Common emotional responses in this context include:

• Anger and injustice at the loss of life and contradictions between communal values and state actions

• Fear and anxiety about ongoing systemic violence and community safety

• Numbness or detachment as a protective response to overwhelming news

• Grief mixed with helplessness, especially when the person lost was committed to care and community

Naming these reactions is not overreaction — it is a step toward grounding and processing.

Grounded, Trauma-Informed Self-Care Recommendations

Please know that in moments like this, prioritizing your nervous system and safety matters. The following are gentle, accessible care steps grounded in clinical trauma understanding:

A. Regulate your nervous system

• Practice slow breathing (e.g., 4-second inhale, 6-second exhale)

• Try grounding exercises (e.g., noticing 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch)

• Limit repeated exposure to distressing videos or news updates

B. Check in with your body

• Notice tension and release with small stretches

• Hydrate, rest, and ensure consistent meals

• Notice sleep patterns and gently support sleep hygiene

C. Emotional expression and support

• Talk with trusted friends or a therapist

• Journal thoughts and emotional reactions

• Allow yourself to feel without pressure to perform strength

D. Set boundaries around media and social feeds

• Choose specific times to check updates

• Curate sources to reduce sensational or graphic content

If You’re Confronted by Immigration Enforcement (General Preparedness Resources)

This section is informational and not legal advice. If you live in, travel to, or participate in actions where immigration enforcement could be present, consider the following trusted community resources (many offer legal rights info, training, and cards you can carry):

Know Your Rights Resources

• ACLU “Know Your Rights: Immigration Enforcement” (downloadable rights guides)

• National Immigration Law Center (legal updates and immigrant justice info)

• RAICES or Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (legal support and education)

• Research local immigrant support coalitions in your area

General prepared actions

• Carry a Know Your Rights card

• Have emergency contact information easily accessible

• Review local community legal support or hotline numbers

NOTE: Laws and enforcement practices vary by location; these resources are intended for general education and preparedness.

If You Want to Take Action Beyond Personal Care

For some people, action can feel grounding; for others, rest and care are the right choice. Both are valid.

Some of my clients and colleagues genuinely want to move from grief to constructive purpose. Below are nonviolent frameworks and resources that focus on resistance, community care and accountability without escalation:

• Waging Nonviolence: “10 Rules of Resistance for #ICEOut” - The Waging Nonviolence project has laid out a set of nonviolent principles designed to guide sustained civic action, rooted in historical resistance movements. These rules emphasize denying harmful systems what they need to function (whether silence, cooperation, or complacency) and building collective power in disciplined, strategic ways.

  • Rather than a checklist for conflict, these principles can inspire strategic, ethical engagement in community accountability and social change.

  
  

• Know Your Rights: Immigrants’ Participation in Protests - National Immigration Law Center (NILC) - A clear, practical resource that explains protesters’ rights and how immigrants and allies can engage safely and meaningfully in demonstrations and civic participation.

  
  

• Immigration Advocates Network (IAN) - A collaborative hub offering tools, legal guides, and opportunities to connect with advocates working toward immigrant rights and legal support.

  
  

• National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild (NIPNLG) - A membership-based organization of attorneys and advocates dedicated to defending dignity and civil rights for immigrants, supporting systemic advocacy as well as community education.

  
  

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Immigrants’ Rights Project - An established civil liberties organization working through litigation, advocacy, and public outreach to protect immigrants’ legal rights and challenge discriminatory enforcement practices.

  
  

• Nonviolence International - Resources and organizational links focused on building a culture of nonviolence, strategic nonviolent action, training, and education for those seeking to organize and resist through peaceful means.

Closing Commitment to Healing and Justice

The loss of someone like Alex Pretti — a healthcare worker, community member, and advocate for justice — hits especially hard because it feels personal and profound. It’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to be angry. It’s okay to seek support and care.

As we honor his life and the lives of others lost to violence, we can choose steps rooted in compassion, community care, safety, and resilience, both for ourselves and for one another.