New Mexico motorcycle rally shootout leaves three killed, five injured
2 Min Read
The fatal shooting comes after 20,000 bikers gathered for the annual Memorial Day motorcycle rally.
-
Site of shooting at New Mexico biker rally (Social media)
At least three people were killed and five others were injured in a shootout at a motorbike gathering in the US state of New Mexico on Saturday, as per local media reports.
The incident happened at 5 pm (2300 GMT) when 20,000 bikers gathered in Red River, a small town near the ski resort of Taos, for the annual Memorial Day motorcycle rally.
Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun confirmed the murders and injuries in a video interview with local media Questa Del Rio News and claimed an undefined number of people had been detained.
"No law enforcement, no first responders were injured. No local people were injured... It was a gang-related incident," she said, refusing to reveal which gangs were suspected of being involved.
"The shooters have all been apprehended," she added.
According to the Taos News, a law enforcement official described the event over central dispatch as "a rolling shootout -- between Banditos (Motorcycle Club) and someone else."
Update 1 of 3: Red River Motorcycle Rally Shooting
— NMSP (@NMStatePolice) May 28, 2023
Here's what we know so far:
•2 individuals are deceased
•6 injured, receiving medical care
•The scene is secure, no ongoing threat to public safety https://t.co/ufJhdFolab
The news agency reported that a law enforcement official described the event over central dispatch as "a rolling shootout -- between Banditos (Motorcycle Club) and someone else."
"There were people running by where we were standing, screaming, 'There's shooting down there,'" said Eddie Cook as quoted by AFP. "As everybody was running by, then I heard the gunshots."
After the shooting, the mayor reportedly imposed a curfew between 10 pm and 4 am, as well as a restriction on the sale of alcohol.
