A newly surfaced video of Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti delivering an emotional tribute to a dying veteran has gone viral, adding a heartbreaking layer to the ongoing controversy surrounding his fatal shooting by federal agents on January 24, 2026. Shared by the veteran’s son on social media, the 2-minute clip has racked up millions of views and thousands of shares, with fans and supporters calling it a poignant reminder of Pretti’s compassion amid the polarized debate over his death.

The video, dated January 20, 2026 — just four days before the shooting — shows Pretti in his hospital scrubs standing beside the bedside of 72-year-old veteran Harold Jenkins, a Vietnam War hero who was in the final stages of terminal lung cancer. Jenkins lies beneath a flag-draped shroud, an eagle emblem pinned to his chest, as hospital staff stand in solemn silence around the room, saluting in respect. Pretti, voice steady but emotional, reads a short eulogy prepared by the family: “You fought the good fight, Quint. You kept the faith. And now you cross into glory. Rest easy, soldier — your watch is over.”

The veteran’s son, Marcus Jenkins, shared the footage with the caption: “RIP Alex. He read Dad’s final salute. Dad’s last words: ‘Fight the good fight.’ He’d honor Alex’s sacrifice against this shameful admin!” The post quickly exploded, with users praising Pretti as a “true American hero” who embodied kindness even in his final days. Many noted the eerie echo in Pretti’s own words during the tribute: “Freedom isn’t free — we sacrifice for it,” a line that has taken on tragic new meaning in light of his death.

Pretti was killed during a protest against federal immigration enforcement operations outside a Minneapolis federal building. Body-worn camera footage shows him approaching agents while legally armed, ignoring commands to stop and show his hands. The agents fired, citing perceived imminent threat in the chaotic environment. The incident has divided the public: supporters view Pretti as a martyr for free speech and immigrant rights, while critics argue his actions were reckless and contributed to the escalation.

The video’s release has turned eyes back toward Pretti’s character amid growing controversy. Recent revelations — including a leaked audio from a former patient alleging inappropriate behavior and statements from his ex-wife about years of estrangement due to his “extremist advocacy” — have complicated the narrative of Pretti as an unblemished hero. Yet the tribute footage, showing him in a moment of pure compassion, has humanized him for many, prompting tributes like “This is the real Alex — a healer to the end.”

Marcus Jenkins told local media he shared the video to honor Pretti’s kindness. “Alex didn’t know us before that night,” he said. “But he stayed late, read the salute, held Dad’s hand as he passed. He was a good man. Whatever happened at that protest… this is who he was.” The veteran’s family has launched a GoFundMe to support Pretti’s two young children, raising over $200,000 in 24 hours.

The clip has also fueled conspiracy theories. Online groups have dissected Pretti’s words in the tribute — “Freedom isn’t free — we sacrifice for it” — as a possible foreshadowing of his own fate. Some claim the shooting was a “government hit” to silence an outspoken advocate, pointing to “masked fascist feds” and “undertrained thugs terrorizing innocents.” Others dismiss it as coincidence, focusing instead on the beauty of the moment.

Pretti’s family has expressed gratitude for the video’s release but asked for privacy amid the ongoing federal investigation. “Alex lived to help others,” a family statement read. “This tribute shows his heart. Please let us grieve while seeking truth and justice.”

As the nation turns to the video for comfort amid the pain, it serves as a stark reminder: Quintin Pretti was more than a headline or a hashtag. He was a man who, in his final days, chose kindness in the face of death — both for a veteran he barely knew and, perhaps, for the causes he believed in. Whether viewed as martyr or misguided, one thing is clear: his story — and his last acts of compassion — will linger long after the investigations conclude.