Thousands Worldwide Memorialize Man Killed by Federal Agents

Over 200 bike rides in 12 countries honor the life of Alex Pretti, a nurse fatally shot by immigration agents in Minneapolis.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 9:31pm by Ben Kaplan

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More than 200 memorial bike rides in 12 countries, including over 200 cyclists in San Francisco, honored the life of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse who was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis a week earlier. The rides, organized by Pretti's local bike shop, the Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop, drew thousands of cyclists in solidarity against the "outrageous" and "appalling" immigration enforcement policies of the Trump administration.

Why it matters

The death of Alex Pretti, an American citizen and healthcare worker, at the hands of federal agents has sparked outrage and renewed calls to reform or abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The memorial rides demonstrate the widespread grief and anger over the use of lethal force against civilians, especially in the context of aggressive immigration crackdowns under the Trump administration.

The details

Hundreds of San Francisco cyclists joined riders across the country and around the world in memorial rides for Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. The rides, organized by Pretti's local bike shop, the Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop, took cyclists from the Ferry Building to Golden Gate Park, Ocean Beach, Crissy Field, and North Beach. Footage shows that Pretti was filming the agents with his phone and helping a bystander before being pinned down and shot 10 times, despite the agents removing a gun from his waist. The Department of Justice has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting.

  • On February 1, 2026, over 200 memorial bike rides were held in 12 countries, including San Francisco, to honor Alex Pretti one week after his death.
  • On January 25, 2026, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old American citizen and Veterans Affairs nurse, was fatally shot 10 times by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

The players

Alex Pretti

A 37-year-old American citizen and intensive care nurse who was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop

A bicycle shop in South Minneapolis that Pretti frequented and organized a local memorial ride, encouraging other cities to join in solidarity.

Henry Hilken

A retired Bay Area air pollution control official who participated in the San Francisco memorial ride, calling the Trump administration's immigration enforcement "outrageous" and "appalling."

Jarrod Alder

The director of special programs and marketing at the Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop, who wrote that the memorial rides showed people "coming together and taking a stand" against ICE.

Ally Evirs

A 49-year-old Redding resident who watched the San Francisco cyclists and called for ICE to be "abolished" and held "accountable for the innocent people they murdered."

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What they’re saying

“The Trump administration is outrageous, and their enforcement of immigration policies are appalling. It's unfettered lawlessness that the Trump administration seems to apply.”

— Henry Hilken, Retired Bay Area air pollution control official (San Francisco Chronicle)

“We truly are one in this moment, and we ride for all and Alex.”

— Jarrod Alder, Director of special programs and marketing, Angry Catfish Bicycle Shop (San Francisco Chronicle)

“ICE needs to be abolished. The death of Alex Pretti is beyond tragic and not necessary in any way. We've reached a horrible point in this country. I'd like to see ICE stopped immediately, and I'd like to see them held accountable for the innocent people they murdered.”

— Ally Evirs (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Department of Justice has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting of Alex Pretti, with the FBI leading the probe.

The takeaway

The memorial bike rides for Alex Pretti demonstrate the widespread grief and anger over the use of lethal force by federal immigration agents against civilians, especially in the context of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies. The calls to reform or abolish ICE reflect the growing public backlash against the agency's tactics and the desire for greater accountability and oversight.