Alex Pretti’s Sister Refutes Viral Misinformation Claims

Federal agents fatally shot 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a Veterans Affairs hospital nurse, on January 24. Now, his sister has come forward with an emotional statement addressing both the outpouring of support and the wave of misinformation that has followed his death.

“All Alex ever wanted was to help someone—anyone. Even in his very last moments on this earth, he was simply trying to do just that,” Pretti’s sister stated in remarks shared with CBS News. She described her brother as a person who “was kind, generous, and had a way of lighting up every room he walked into.”

The tragedy has thrust the Pretti family into an unwelcome spotlight, forcing them to confront what they call “disgusting lies” about Alex while still processing their grief. His sister emphasized that beyond his professional achievements, his role as her brother was irreplaceable.

“He was incredibly intelligent and deeply passionate, and he made people feel safe,” she said. “But most importantly, he was my brother. I had the privilege of being his little sister for 32 years. I will never be able to hug him, laugh with him, or cry to him again because of those thugs—and that is a pain no words can fully capture.”

Pretti worked as a nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, where colleagues say he demonstrated exceptional dedication to patient care. His career choice reflected a lifelong commitment to service, particularly for vulnerable populations like veterans requiring specialized medical attention. The VA healthcare system, which serves over 9 million enrolled veterans annually, relies on dedicated professionals like Pretti who often work in challenging conditions with limited resources.

According to his sister, Pretti’s contributions extended beyond direct patient care. He was involved in cancer research initiatives, reflecting the growing integration of research and clinical practice within the VA medical system. “Through his work at the VA caring for the sickest patients, and passion to advance cancer research, he touched more lives than he probably ever realized,” she noted.

The family’s grief has been compounded by what they describe as a deliberate campaign of misinformation from Trump administration officials, who have characterized Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” and “an assassin.” His sister addressed these allegations directly, stating that hearing such claims has been “absolutely gut-wrenching.”

“When does this end? How many more innocent lives must be lost before we say enough?” she asked. “My family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth. He would be very proud.”

The controversy has intensified as Trump administration officials continue to claim Pretti was “brandishing” a gun at the time of the shooting. However, his family contends that video evidence contradicts these assertions, and authorities have not provided substantiating evidence for claims that Pretti intended to cause harm.

In a separate statement, Pretti’s parents echoed their daughter’s sentiments: “The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting. Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.”

The shooting occurs against a backdrop of increased scrutiny regarding use of force by federal law enforcement agencies. According to data from the Washington Post’s police shootings database, fatal shootings by law enforcement have remained relatively consistent in recent years, though public attention and debate about such incidents have intensified.

As investigations into the shooting continue, Pretti’s family faces the difficult task of preserving his legacy while challenging what they view as deliberate mischaracterizations of his character and intentions. Their statements reflect both their personal loss and broader concerns about accountability and truth in the aftermath of deadly force incidents.

“It’s devastating that he won’t be here to witness the impact he was making,” his sister concluded, highlighting the permanent void left in their family and in the communities Pretti served.