BREAKING: Alex Pretti’s Ex-Wife Breaks Years of Silence Amid Ongoing Fallout from His Death

In a rare and emotional interview, Rachel Canoun, the former wife of Alex Jeffrey Pretti—the 37-year-old intensive care nurse fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026—has spoken publicly for the first time since their divorce more than two years ago. Canoun, who now lives in a different state and had no contact with Pretti in recent years, described a marriage that unraveled under the weight of his deepening commitment to activism and unresolved personal struggles.

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Who Is Rachel Canoun? Alex Pretti’s Ex-Wife Speaks Out After Minneapolis Shooting | US News – Times Now

“She vanished from my life for two years,” Canoun reflected, referring to the period after their separation. “Our marriage collapsed when he became consumed by protests, weighed down by old protection issues, and increasingly agitated whenever his past activism came up.” She alluded to Pretti’s intense emotional responses during discussions of his earlier involvement in demonstrations, including those following the 2020 George Floyd killing near their former home in Minneapolis.

But the real struggle wasn’t on the streets. It came from a hidden family secret, one that quietly shaped every choice Alex made—and haunted him all the way to the end. Sources close to the family and Canoun’s statements suggest this “secret” involved deep-seated concerns over authority and injustice, possibly rooted in personal or familial experiences with systemic issues that fueled his moral outrage. Canoun emphasized that Pretti was not violent but felt compelled to act when he witnessed unfairness. “He didn’t carry [his concealed weapon] around me, because it made me uncomfortable,” she noted, confirming he held a permit but rarely displayed it in her presence.

Pretti, a dedicated ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System, was known among colleagues and patients as compassionate, ethical, and committed to veterans’ care.

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VA Hospital Exterior editorial photo. Image of icon, illness – 42155286

His sister, Micayla Pretti, called him a hero who “touched more lives than he probably ever realised.” Born in 1988 in Park Ridge, Illinois, and later residing in Minneapolis’ Lyndale neighborhood, Pretti had a history of community involvement. He participated in protests against aggressive immigration enforcement policies under the current administration, particularly following the January 7, 2026, fatal shooting of Renee Good by federal agents—the incident that appeared to galvanize his final actions.

abcnews.go.com

Alex Pretti’s ‘life was just starting,’ mentor says – ABC News

On the morning of January 24, Pretti arrived at the scene of an immigration operation, phone in hand to document events. Witness videos and forensic analyses show federal agents—identified as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and CBP officer Raymundo Gutierrez—firing at least 10 shots in under five seconds during an altercation. Pretti was shot multiple times while reportedly attempting to intervene or record.

usatoday.com

Minneapolis ICE fatal shooting draws protesters to streets

The Department of Justice has launched a civil rights probe into the incident, though critics note no similar investigation followed Good’s death.

Pretti’s parents, Michael and Susan Pretti of Colorado, have been vocal in their grief and anger. In a sit-down interview, Susan said, “He’s my first born… There was no reason he should have died that day.” They denounced official claims labeling their son a threat as “sickening lies” and urged a thorough, joint state-federal investigation. The family retained high-profile attorneys involved in the George Floyd case to seek accountability.

Canoun’s revelations add a personal layer to the national debate. She portrayed Pretti as someone whose “moral restlessness” drove him to protest, unable to stay silent in the face of perceived wrongs. While their marriage ended amid his growing agitation over past activism and what she described as “protection issues”—possibly referring to a need to shield others or himself from perceived threats—these elements humanize a figure now at the center of protests, vigils, and calls for reform.

npr.org

Videos contradict federal account of fatal Minneapolis shooting : NPR

The tragedy has sparked widespread outrage, with nurses nationwide identifying with Pretti’s instinct to “run toward people in need.” A GoFundMe for his family surpassed $1 million shortly after his death. As investigations continue, Canoun’s words remind the public that behind the headlines was a man shaped by conviction, personal pain, and an unyielding sense of justice.

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