Mexico: Three men were killed and five others injured in a shootout between rival biker gangs at an annual Memorial Day motorcycle rally in New Mexico state in the US, police said on Sunday (local time).
According to New Mexico State Police, three other bikers are facing charges and two of them were among the five injured in the shooting between the Bandidos and the Waterdogs in the mountain resort town of Red River.
The confrontation began in Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, over a picture involving another gang, which then spilled over to the annual Memorial Day motorcycle rally in Red River, New Mexico State Police Chief Tim Johnson was quoted by Reuters as saying.
Those killed in the shootout were identified as Anthony Silva of Los Lunas (26), 46-year-old Damian Breaux of Socorro and 46-year-old Randy Sanchez of Albuquerque. Two were shot dead on the spot while the third one succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
Police charged 30-year-old Jacob Castillo, a Waterdog from New Mexico with murder, while Texas’s Matthew Jackson (39), a Bandidos chapter leader, faced a count of unlawful carrying of a firearm. Another Bandido leader from Texas, Christopher Garcia (41), was arrested on suspicion of cocaine possession.
In the past two months, Bandidos have been involved in three shootings in Oklahoma and Texas, Tim Johnson said.
Around 28,000 bikers from across the country were expected to attend the motorcycle rally, which featured remembrance ceremonies and live music at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in nearby Angel Fire, according to Reuters.