By Alexis Duran
RN, MPH, PHN, Leadership Council Member
California Nurses for Environmental Health and Justice mourns the killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, who was killed by federal law enforcement on January 24, 2026. We extend our deepest condolences to Alex’s family, loved ones, co-workers, and the greater community grieving this devastating loss.
Nurses enter this profession to protect life indiscriminately, alleviate suffering, and advocate for people and communities facing harm. Violence against nurses—whether in healthcare settings or in our communities—is a profound societal and public health failure and a violation of our shared medical ethic to do no harm. The killing of Alex Pretti demands transparency, accountability and an independent investigation so the truth is known and justice pursued.
As nurses committed to environmental health and justice, we understand that violence does not occur in isolation. It is shaped by systems of power, enforcement, and policy that too often targets communities deemed by those in positions of power as vulnerable or unworthy—particularly Black, Brown, immigrant, and low-income communities—reinforcing cycles of violence, fear and generational trauma that undermine health, safety, and human dignity.
This work must remain intersectional so that solutions are just and effective for all. We acknowledge that many others have lost their lives due to brutal immigration enforcement practices, including deaths in ICE custody and detention facilities. We demand justice for all who have been harmed or killed.
It is the duty of nurses to care for all people, regardless of background, race, ethnicity, religion, immigration status or political affiliation. We demand that this ethic of compassionate, indiscriminate care be the foundation of the government and institutions meant to serve and protect us.
We stand firmly against violence in all its forms. In honoring Alex Pretti’s life and service, we recommit ourselves to collective action that advances safety, accountability and justice for our nurses, patients and all impacted communities.
