Viral Claim About Alex Pretti’s Employment History Debunked

A viral social media post claiming that Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis nurse killed by federal agents in January, had been fired from his job for “inappropriate behavior” has been widely circulated online. However, multiple independent fact-checks and official records indicate that the claim is false.

Alex Pretti, 37, was an intensive care unit nurse employed at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. Public records, union statements, and reporting from multiple outlets confirm that he was actively employed at the time of his death and had not been terminated three months earlier, as alleged in the viral post.

The claim appears to originate from an unverified graphic shared on partisan social media pages. The graphic alleges that a “hospital director” confirmed Pretti was fired amid multiple complaints. No hospital, administrator, or official source has substantiated that statement, and no such announcement exists in public records or credible news reporting.

Fact-checking organizations and international news outlets reviewing the claim found that the hospital named in some versions of the post was incorrect and not affiliated with Pretti. Others identified the source of the allegation as a fabricated website designed to mimic legitimate news outlets.

Pretti’s colleagues and labor organizations described him as a dedicated ICU nurse who worked with critically ill patients, including military veterans. Statements released after his death emphasized his professionalism and service record, contradicting claims of disciplinary issues or misconduct.

Law enforcement officials have not cited Pretti’s employment history as a factor in the fatal encounter, and no evidence has been presented linking his workplace conduct to the events surrounding his death.

The shooting of Alex Pretti by U.S. Border Patrol agents remains under investigation. As public attention around the case continues, experts warn that false or unverified claims can spread rapidly during high-profile incidents, particularly when circulated through social media without sourcing or documentation.

At present, there is no credible evidence supporting the allegation that Alex Pretti was fired from his nursing position or disciplined for inappropriate behavior.