January 26, 2026
Categories:The Insider
The American Federation of Government Employees is mourning the loss of one of our own, Local 3669 member Alex Pretti, who was shot and killed during an altercation with officers Jan. 24 in Minneapolis. Pretti, 37, was an intensive care unit nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis, where he dedicated his life to serving American veterans.
“Our union is heartbroken. An AFGE member is dead. And a family’s life has been forever changed,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said in a statement issued hours after the incident.
“While details of the incident are still emerging, one fact is already clear: this tragedy did not happen in a vacuum. It is the direct result of an administration that has chosen reckless policy, inflammatory rhetoric, and manufactured crisis over responsible leadership and de-escalation. Federal workers have been placed at the center of this political theater, turned into symbols instead of being treated as the public servants they are. That kind of leadership failure has consequences, making everything more dangerous for the public and law enforcement alike.
“Today, those consequences include the death of an AFGE member.”
President Kelley called for members of the public to maintain peace and calm in the wake of Pretti’s death, while promising to hold leaders accountable “for the policies and decisions that led us here.”
The National VA Council also issued a statement following Pretti’s death, promising not to forget his selfless sacrifice serving our nation’s veterans.
“Alex was an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Hospital and answered the call faithfully every day to care for our veterans. This tragedy has shaken us all because what happens to one of us impacts all of us. We send our deepest condolences to the Pretti family during this difficult time,” the council said.
One day after the shooting, Kelley joined labor, faith, and community leaders from across the country in an evening of prayer, solidarity, and reflection on the tragic events. Among the participants speaking during the vigil were AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, AFGE District 8 National Vice President Ruark Hotopp, NVAC Council President M.J. Burke, Local 3669 President Jake Romans, and former District 8 NVP and Local 3669 Legislative Political Coordinator Jane Nygaard.
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