Bike Ride Honors Man Killed by Border Patrol in Minneapolis

Annual memorial event commemorates Alex Pretti, who died in a confrontation with federal agents.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 3:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Alex Pretti Memorial Bike Ride was held in Minneapolis to honor the man who was shot and killed by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents. The annual event commemorates Pretti's life and calls for accountability and reform regarding use of force by federal law enforcement.

Why it matters

The death of Alex Pretti at the hands of Border Patrol agents sparked outrage and demands for greater oversight and de-escalation training for federal law enforcement. The memorial bike ride keeps Pretti's memory alive and continues to raise awareness about police violence and racial disparities in policing.

The details

The Alex Pretti Memorial Bike Ride is an annual event organized by local advocacy groups to honor Pretti, who was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents during a confrontation in Minneapolis. The ride follows a route through the city, stopping at key locations to remember Pretti and call for policy changes to prevent similar tragedies.

  • The 2026 Alex Pretti Memorial Bike Ride took place on January 31, 2026.

The players

Alex Pretti

A Minneapolis resident who was shot and killed by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents in an incident that sparked outrage and calls for police reform.

U.S. Customs and Border Patrol

The federal law enforcement agency whose agents were involved in the shooting death of Alex Pretti, leading to increased scrutiny of the agency's use of force policies.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Alex should still be with us today. We ride to honor his memory and demand accountability for his senseless death.”

— Samantha Ortiz, Organizer, Alex Pretti Memorial Bike Ride (Fox9.com)

“Border Patrol needs better de-escalation training and stricter rules on when deadly force can be used. No one should lose their life over a routine encounter.”

— Jamal Ahmed, Community Activist (Fox9.com)

What’s next

Organizers of the Alex Pretti Memorial Bike Ride plan to continue the annual event and push for policy changes at the federal level to address use of force by Border Patrol and other law enforcement agencies.

The takeaway

The tragic death of Alex Pretti highlights the need for greater accountability, de-escalation training, and reform of federal law enforcement policies to prevent similar incidents of police violence in the future.