Becca Tilley Exposes Cruel DMs She Received After Posting About Alex Pretti’s Death

Reality star Becca Tilley is speaking out about the backlash she’s faced on social media after publishing a heartfelt reaction to the fatal shooting of Minneapolis ICU nurse Alex Pretti, a killing that has ignited national outrage and divided online comment sections. Tilley took to Instagram Stories to share a deeply personal message about where she stands on the incident and why she felt compelled to speak up, even as responses on social media quickly morphed into something hostile and at times bizarre.

In her initial post, Tilley acknowledged her internal conflict over whether to post at all, explaining how her anxiety makes speaking out difficult in the first place. “Normally when it comes to speaking out or having a stance on things, I have a ton of anxiety and uncertainty because my brain works in a way where I always try to see both sides,” she wrote. She said she tries to understand “people from different walks and environments” and rejected the division she believes the two-party political system fosters.

Tilley directly referenced what’s been happening in Minneapolis, describing a situation she thinks goes beyond politics. “We all come from different walks and environments and I believe most of us are shaped from the environment we grew up in," she said. "I personally hate the 2 party system we have because it’s a recipe for division and that’s exactly what they want… we are at a point where it isn’t right vs left, it’s right vs wrong.”

She went on to echo the anguish felt by many after video and eyewitness accounts of Pretti’s killing circulated online, videos that observers and family members say contradict official statements. “We watched what happened and then we heard them lie about what we watched (from multiple angles)," she continued. "We’re watching people be targeted for their skin color and their accents. We are watching them target schools and places of work. Dragging people on the ground… shooting them to the ground.”

Tilley made it clear where her own moral line is drawn, urging empathy over blind allegiance. “It’s ok to let your morality win over your loyalty to a political party or administration," the former reality star said. "There is no system more important than basic humanity.”

Not long after posting her thoughts, Tilley shared screenshots of some of the nasty direct messages she received in response, and they illustrate just how polarized and hostile social media can be. One critic attacked her appearance and personal life, writing, “Ease up on the botex it’s clearly damaging your brain! Maybe that’s why you can’t find love…” The message went on to mock her social life and dismiss her opinions, prompting Tilley to note the irony of it coming from someone who claimed to value “true inner beauty.”

Despite the DM sender’s professed church affiliation and a bio declaring “Be kind always,” Tilley clapped back, pointing out the contradiction between their stated values and the tone of the message.

The individual then accused her of not caring about other victims of violence, claiming, “You don’t care about the safety of regular Americans! Did you care when those young girls got murdered by illegals immigrants? I didn’t you see posting anything!”

The killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minnesota ICU nurse, occurred during a reported federal immigration enforcement action in Minneapolis over the weekend. According to NBC, a notice to Congress stated that "a BPA [Border Patrol agent] discharged his CBP-issued Glock 19 and a CBPO [Customs and Border Protection officer] also discharged his CBP-issued Glock 47 at Pretti," which left him dead.

Pretti’s death came just weeks after Renee Nicole Good, another Minneapolis resident, was fatally shot by a federal immigration officer earlier in January, intensifying ongoing concerns about ICE and Border Patrol tactics.

Hundreds of protesters have since taken to the streets of Minneapolis, and leaders from both political parties are calling for investigations into federal law enforcement’s use of force. Videos showing agents confronting civilians, and contradictory official explanations of what occurred, have fueled emotional discussion online and off.

Tilley’s original post ultimately centers on a message she hopes doesn’t get lost in the tragedy: that empathy and basic humanity should outweigh fear, division, or the desire to “win” an argument.

“I never ever want anyone to question where I stand on this,” she wrote. “I was told to love my neighbor… and loved people. I will always try to lead with that love first.”