Veterans, unions and health care workers in Chicago remember Alex Pretti as 'hero' at vigil

Madeline King, Chicago Tribune on Jan 28, 2026

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CHICAGO — Dozens of union members and leaders, health care workers and veterans convened outside the Jesse Brown Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Chicago Tuesday afternoon for a vigil to protest the death of Alex Pretti and commemorate his life.

Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, was shot several times and killed by a federal immigration agent Saturday during an ongoing large-scale immigration crackdown in Minnesota. Pretti was the second U.S. citizen killed by agents in Minneapolis. Renee Good was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent earlier this month.

In the days following Pretti’s death, protests and vigils have erupted across the country. A protest in the Loop Sunday drew elected officials and thousands of people in frigid weather. Another vigil commemorating Pretti, organized by National Nurses United, is scheduled for Wednesday evening outside the VA Medical Center.

The Chicago Federation of Labor organized Tuesday’s vigil. Union members and leaders from National Nurses United, SEIU Healthcare, the Chicago Teachers Union, UIC Resident Union and the American Federation of Government Employees Local 789 were in attendance, as well as faith leaders and veterans.

“We are mindful that we were gifted with Alex Pretti, a proud nurse and hero of his community who did the important work, the courageous work, the inspirational work of serving humanity in medicine,” the Rev. Brendan Curran, a Catholic priest and vocal supporter of immigrant rights, said in prayer.

Speeches from union members and leaders, health care professionals and veterans followed the prayer. The speakers condemned Pretti’s killing above the noise of cars honking in support.

“What makes this loss even more devastating is how Alex spent his final moments,” Chicago Teachers Union member Vicki Kurzydlo said to the crowd. “Witnesses tell us that as chaos unfolded, Alex’s instinct was not out of fear or self-preservation.”

Pretti can be seen on video, presumably trying to help a woman after a federal immigration agent pushed her to the ground. Federal agents then pinned Pretti down and removed a handgun that was on his person before shooting him, according to video analysis from The Associated Press.

The federal government claimed Pretti attempted to use violence against the officers, but video footage shows him carrying a cellphone, not a weapon, before immigration agents forced him to the ground. He had a concealed carry license, according to AP.

Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino is expected to leave Minneapolis as the Trump administration reshuffles leadership of Operation Metro Surge after the national pushback over Pretti’s killing.

“As veterans, we know what warfare looks like,” said Daniel Lakemacher, a Navy veteran and member of About Face: Veterans Against the War. “And right now, the United States is engaged in warfare against (its) own people.”

The speakers said that anyone could have been in Pretti’s shoes and met the same fate, with some adding that they see themselves in Pretti, who was born in Park Ridge.

Anne Igoe, a union leader for SEIU Healthcare, said the values of care and compassion that health care workers, such as Pretti, live by are under attack by the Trump administration.

“We don’t come to a protest to protest,” Igoe said. “We come to a protest because we care about those (who) are being harmed around us. That is why all of us are here today.”

After the speeches, attendees left white roses at a growing memorial for Pretti up against a fence on the VA medical center property. The memorial includes signs, a picture of Pretti, flowers and candles. The protesters then marched around the building, while carrying signs and chanting anti-ICE slogans.

Nicole Cantello, president of the Chicago chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees, said she understands Pretti’s service through his work as a fellow union member.

“We’re here because we really care about other federal employees who are out there protecting other people, who are serving veterans and serving the American people,” Cantello said.

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