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Not long after the initial reports, the man was identified by relatives as Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old registered nurse and U.S. citizen. Family members said his death came as a shock, not only because of the circumstances surrounding the encounter, but because of the life he had built—one centered on service, stability, and helping people through some of their worst moments.
According to relatives, Pretti worked as an intensive care unit nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs hospital. Colleagues described him as reliable and compassionate, someone who stayed calm under pressure and treated patients with dignity even when the work was exhausting and emotionally heavy. In a place where staff routinely face emergencies, grief, and long nights, he was remembered as someone who kept showing up with professionalism and heart.
Away from the hospital, his family said Pretti found balance outdoors. He enjoyed nature and spent time outside when he could, appreciating the kind of quiet that can feel rare in a busy city and a demanding profession. Relatives also said he cared about environmental causes and paid attention to broader social issues. He was described as engaged—someone who read, talked, listened, and formed opinions based on a deep belief that communities are responsible for one another.
Family members also shared that he sometimes attended public demonstrations, especially when he felt strongly about an issue. They emphasized that he supported peaceful expression and believed participation was part of being a responsible member of society. Friends echoed that view, describing him as socially aware and guided by empathy, someone who didn’t easily ignore what others were going through. Those close to him framed his civic involvement as an extension of the same instinct that drew him to nursing: the desire to protect, to advocate, and to help.
In the days after his death, tributes began appearing online and in local circles. People who worked alongside him posted memories and condolences, describing moments when he encouraged a coworker through a difficult shift, stayed late to ensure a patient was stable, or brought a steady presence to a tense room. Others highlighted his fairness—his refusal to belittle people, his willingness to hear others out, and his habit of showing up when help was needed without demanding attention for it. In public grief, individuals often become symbols. Those who knew Pretti personally seemed intent on preserving something more specific: the memory of a real person with routines, relationships, and a profession built on protecting life.
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