Alex Pretti’s Family Denies Reports of Hospital Resignation or Behavioral Changes, Cites Foreign Spam Source

In a troubling case of misinformation surrounding a tragic incident, false claims have emerged about statements allegedly made by the parents of Alex Pretti, the ICU nurse killed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis.

Contrary to an article published on January 26, 2026, by the website btuatu.com, Pretti’s parents never stated that their son had quit his hospital job months earlier or that he had displayed “unusual behavior” prior to his death. The fabricated article claimed the parents had given a “heartbreaking and revealing interview” where they discussed concerning behavioral changes in their son.

The actual statement released by Michael and Susan Pretti painted a vastly different picture of their son. In their genuine statement, released approximately 12 hours after his death, they described Alex as “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.” Rather than suggesting he had quit or changed his behavior, they explicitly referenced his ongoing work at the VA hospital.

The parents’ authentic statement expressed both grief and anger, directly contradicting the administration’s characterization of events surrounding their son’s death. “The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,” they wrote, asserting that Alex was not holding a gun when confronted by ICE agents, but rather had his phone in one hand while his other empty hand was raised.

The false article appears to be part of a larger pattern of AI-generated misinformation originating from Vietnam. Cybersecurity experts and fact-checkers have identified the website btuatu.com as connected to what they term “Viet Spam” – a network of sites operating from Vietnam that target American and European audiences with fabricated, clickbait content designed to generate traffic and advertising revenue.

This case highlights the increasingly sophisticated nature of misinformation campaigns. The fabricated article included detailed but entirely fictional quotes, such as claims that Michael Pretti told reporters, “He seemed to have joined some kind of group,” and “We warned him two weeks ago—protest if you want, but don’t engage, don’t do anything stupid.”

The incident occurs amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement policies under the current administration. Alex Pretti’s killing by ICE agents on January 24, 2026, has sparked considerable public debate about the tactics and accountability of federal law enforcement agencies.

Fact-checkers have noted a concerning trend of exploitation following high-profile, emotionally charged incidents. These Vietnam-based operations typically create networks of seemingly unrelated websites and social media accounts that cross-promote fabricated content, often leveraging artificial intelligence to rapidly produce convincing but false narratives.

Digital literacy experts recommend that news consumers verify information through established news organizations, check the source of websites they visit, and be particularly skeptical of emotional content that appears designed primarily to provoke strong reactions rather than inform.

The Pretti family’s genuine statement concluded with a plea: “Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.” Unfortunately, their tragedy has been exploited by those seeking to profit from misinformation, adding another layer of distress to an already devastating situation.

As investigations into both the original incident and the spread of misinformation continue, media literacy advocates emphasize the importance of critical evaluation of sources, especially during breaking news events when emotions run high and verified information may be limited.