When Alex Pretti appeared on the local news, Minneapolis Air Force veteran Sonny Fouts immediately recognized him. Just two weeks ago, Pretti was the ICU nurse who cared for Sonny, 71, all night after a major surgery.

“I’m saddened,” Sonny tells PEOPLE of Pretti’s death. “I’m saddened to the deepest part of my heart.”

Sonny and his significant other, Kimberly Fouts, met Pretti, 37, on Jan. 12, when the 71-year-old underwent a descending aorta aneurysm repair procedure at the VA Medical Center, where the nurse was employed.

Alex Pretti
Alex Pretti.va.gov

The surgery took nine hours, and Sonny was then admitted to the ICU, where he was cared for overnight by Pretti.

In a new statement, Alex Pretti’s sister says the man federal agents killed in Minneapolis “always wanted to make a difference in this world.”

“Alex was kind, generous, and had a way of lighting up every room he walked into. He was incredibly intelligent and deeply passionate, and he made people feel safe,” Micayla Pretti’s statement read. “But most importantly, he was my brother. I had the privilege of being his little sister for 32 years. I will never be able to hug him, laugh with him, or cry to him again because of those thugs—and that is a pain no words can fully capture.”

Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, 37, on Nicollet Avenue Saturday. Officials within the Trump administration called Alex Pretti an “assassin” who tried to “massacre law enforcement,” but video of the killing disproves their claims. Alex Pretti, a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry, had his weapon holstered when he stepped in to help a woman shoved by a federal officer. Several more officers joined the scuffle, dragging Pretti to the ground and disarming him before killing him.

“All Alex ever wanted was to help someone—anyone. Even in his very last moments on this earth, he was simply trying to do just that,” Micayla Pretti said.

In the wake of the second killing by federal agents in Minneapolis this year, Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have spoken with President Trump and other officials about reducing the federal presence in the state. On Monday, Border Patrol Commander at Large Greg Bovino was relieved of his command in Minneapolis and replaced with Tom Homan, Mr. Trump’s border czar. Some Border Patrol agents were expected to leave the state with Bovino.

“When does this end? How many more innocent lives must be lost before we say enough?” Micayla Pretti said.

The Department of Homeland Security has said Alex Pretti’s killing is under investigation, but authorities in Minnesota are pushing for a locally led investigation after being blocked from investigating the killing of Renee Good.

Micayla Pretti’s full statement is below.

“Alex was kind, generous, and had a way of lighting up every room he walked into. He was incredibly intelligent and deeply passionate, and he made people feel safe. But most importantly, he was my brother. I had the privilege of being his little sister for 32 years. I will never be able to hug him, laugh with him, or cry to him again because of those thugs—and that is a pain no words can fully capture.

“Alex always wanted to make a difference in this world, and it’s devastating that he won’t be here to witness the impact he was making. Through his work at the VA caring for the sickest patients, and passion to advance cancer research, he touched more lives than he probably ever realized. All Alex ever wanted was to help someone—anyone. Even in his very last moments on this earth, he was simply trying to do just that.

“I want to thank everyone who has reached out to my family and me, whether you knew Alex personally or not. The messages, posts, and overwhelming positivity shared about him truly reflect his character, work ethic, and passions. My brother is, and always will be, my hero.

“When does this end? How many more innocent lives must be lost before we say enough? Hearing disgusting lies spread about my brother is absolutely gut-wrenching, and my family is deeply grateful so many people have stood up and helped tell his truth. He would be very proud.”