Ex-Wife’s Emotional Tribute: Alex Pretti’s Unanswered Last Text Revealed in Heartbreaking First Post After Fatal Shooting

By Political Correspondent, January 31, 2026 – Hanoi Global News

In a poignant and deeply personal development amid national mourning for Alex Pretti, the 37-year-old ICU nurse fatally shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents during anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis, his ex-wife has broken her silence with her first public statement since the tragedy. The post, shared on social media just hours ago, offers a raw glimpse into Pretti’s final moments and his enduring kindness, even as controversy swirls around the circumstances of his death on January 24, 2026.

slate.com

What Alex Pretti’s fellow nurses saw in the footage of his …

Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was remembered by colleagues and family as a compassionate caregiver who treated veterans with exceptional dedication. He was shot while attempting to shield a woman being shoved and pepper-sprayed by federal agents during a chaotic immigration enforcement operation. Video footage appears to show Pretti holding a phone in one hand and raising the other protectively, contradicting initial federal claims of violent resistance. His family has condemned the Trump administration’s portrayal of him as a “domestic terrorist,” calling it “sickening lies.”

abcnews.go.com

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The ex-wife, who had not spoken publicly about Pretti since their divorce more than two years ago, posted: “He was always so kind.” She shared a screenshot of Pretti’s last text message to her, sent just 20 minutes before the shooting. The incomplete message read: “I’ll come visit you and the kids, I’ve brought…” – a promise of connection and perhaps gifts for the children they shared or co-parented ties to. She noted she hadn’t had time to reply before tragedy struck, leaving the message hanging as a heartbreaking symbol of interrupted life and love.

timesnownews.com

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This revelation adds an intimate, human layer to Pretti’s story. While details about their children remain private, the text underscores Pretti’s commitment to family despite the separation. His ex-wife’s words echo earlier statements from relatives who described him as a “kind-hearted soul” who cared deeply for others. She had previously spoken anonymously to the Associated Press about his involvement in protests, noting he was a Democratic voter deeply affected by injustices like the 2020 George Floyd killing near their former neighborhood. She emphasized he might vocalize frustrations at demonstrations but was never physically confrontational.

hindustantimes.com

Who is Rachel Canoun? Alex Pretti’s ex-wife breaks silence after …

Pretti’s death has sparked widespread vigils and protests nationwide, with health care workers, unions, and activists honoring him as a symbol of resistance against aggressive immigration tactics. In Minneapolis, mourners left flowers, candles, and signs at the shooting site on 26th Street West and Nicollet Avenue. One tribute featured a handmade sign depicting Pretti as an ICU nurse with the words “Neighbor, Friend.” Similar gatherings occurred in cities like Washington, D.C., and Austin, where nurses held candlelight vigils calling for accountability.

wamu.org

Hundreds in D.C. gather to mourn Alex Pretti | WAMU

The Department of Homeland Security maintains the agent acted in self-defense, with an ongoing investigation into whether Pretti’s legally owned handgun played a role. Pretti had a concealed carry permit, though his ex-wife and family stressed he rarely carried it and was unarmed in videos of the incident. His parents, Michael and Susan Pretti, along with sister Micayla, have retained attorneys to pursue justice, rejecting federal narratives and highlighting Pretti’s final act of protection.

As grief turns to calls for reform, Pretti’s ex-wife’s post serves as a tender reminder of the man behind the headlines—a devoted nurse, father figure, and helper whose last words were of reunion and care. The unfinished text lingers as a tragic echo: a promise cut short, leaving loved ones to grapple with what might have been. With investigations continuing and public pressure mounting, Pretti’s legacy endures as one of compassion in the face of chaos.

statnews.com

Alex Pretti honored at Minneapolis vigil by health care workers | STAT