Vigil Held Outside Durham VA Medical Center Honors Nurse Killed in Minneapolis
Nurses and community members gathered outside the Durham VA Health Care System on Wednesday night to hold a candlelight vigil for Alex Pretti, a registered nurse who was fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis last week. Organized by the National Nurses United union, the event drew more than 100 attendees who stood in solidarity with Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse who worked at the Minneapolis VA. Participants lined the sidewalk clutching tealights and flowers, expressing that the violent death of a fellow healthcare worker “hit home” for those in the profession.
The 37-year-old nurse was killed on January 24, 2026, during a confrontation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents. Reports indicate Pretti was participating in protests regarding immigration enforcement operations when he was shot. During the Durham vigil, attendees held signs reading “Stop lying, nurses can spot a fib,” referencing the medical term for irregular heartbeats while challenging the official accounts of the shooting. Speakers at the event emphasized Pretti’s dedication to saving lives and his role as a union member, viewing an attack on one nurse as an attack on the entire profession.
Federal officials have provided a starkly different account of the incident. The Department of Homeland Security and administration officials have characterized Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” and noted that he was armed at the time of the confrontation. While police confirmed Pretti held a valid permit to carry a firearm, his family and union representatives argue that video footage contradicts the claim that he posed an immediate lethal threat, asserting that he appeared to be disarmed or not reaching for a weapon when agents opened fire. The incident is currently under investigation by state and federal authorities.
The death occurs amidst a tense atmosphere for healthcare workers who have faced staffing shortages and high-stress environments nationwide. The National Nurses United union has organized similar vigils across the country, calling for an independent investigation into the shooting and demanding accountability for the use of lethal force. For the nurses in Durham, the gathering served as both a memorial for a fallen colleague and a broader call for the protection of those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
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