- Apr 14, 2001
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Motorcycle Gangs Clash in Nevada Casino, Four Dead
Reuters
LAUGHLIN, Nev. (April 27) - Members of rival motorcycle gangs opened fire on each other in a casino early on Saturday, leaving at least four dead and 11 wounded amid a gathering of tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts in a Nevada gambling town, authorities said.
Four people were dead on the scene inside the Harrah's casino in Laughlin, located near the Arizona border about 100 miles (160 km) from the gambling mecca of Las Vegas, Larry Tunforss, spokesman with the Bullhead City, Arizona, Fire Department, told Reuters.
Some of the 11 wounded were transported by helicopter and ambulance to hospitals in Arizona and Las Vegas, where they were being treated for gunshots and stab wounds.
The shootout in the casino came during the 20th River Run in Laughlin that attracts large numbers of motorcyclists. It is one of the nation's biggest motorcycle events. This year's event drew 50,000 to 70,000 motorcyclists, Tunforss added.
Tunforss said the shooting appeared to be gang related.
"It's believed so. It's assumed so," he said. "Every year for this River Run, there's always threats of gang activity. We have actually separated the shooters the best we can in the hospital because it is believed they are rival gangs."
"Our Bullhead City task force from the police department and SWAT team has taken over the hospital in case there's any threats of anything else following up."
Two of the wounded were identified as the shooters, who were members of rival motorcycle gangs, Tunforss said. They were hospitalized with critical wounds. One of the two alleged shooters suffered four gunshot wounds, Tunforss added.
At the casino, near the area where gamblers normally try their luck with slot machines, authorities held scores of people after the shooting.
"There were about 100 people in handcuffs or spread-eagled on the ground," Tunforss said. "We were taking victims out from that area."
Bullhead City authorities were called in to assist Laughlin authorities. Harrah's sits as the farthest south of a string of casinos that line the west bank of the Colorado River.
'SOME OF THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT'
Authorities said Laughlin had been shut down to all vehicle traffic into and out of town.
"The majority of these people come here to have a great time, come here to have a vacation," Tunforss said. "But, unfortunately, when you get 50,000 to 70,000 people in one area, you're going to have some of the criminal element show up."
A nursing supervisor at University Medical Center in Las Vegas said four male victims, all of whom had been shot and three of whom had also been stabbed, were flown in by helicopter from Laughlin, and she was expecting a fifth. None of the wounds was described as life-threatening.
Even before the incident, the hospital had placed extra medical personnel on call during the River Run.
The annual River Run is Laughlin's biggest weekend of the year. Visitors come from across the United States, with most driving in from Southern California, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
The five-day River Run began on Wednesday, with events such as tattoo contests and concerts by rock groups, including the Doobie Brothers and Grand Funk Railroad. Manufacturers demonstrate their latest motorcycles and related products.
Reuters
LAUGHLIN, Nev. (April 27) - Members of rival motorcycle gangs opened fire on each other in a casino early on Saturday, leaving at least four dead and 11 wounded amid a gathering of tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts in a Nevada gambling town, authorities said.
Four people were dead on the scene inside the Harrah's casino in Laughlin, located near the Arizona border about 100 miles (160 km) from the gambling mecca of Las Vegas, Larry Tunforss, spokesman with the Bullhead City, Arizona, Fire Department, told Reuters.
Some of the 11 wounded were transported by helicopter and ambulance to hospitals in Arizona and Las Vegas, where they were being treated for gunshots and stab wounds.
The shootout in the casino came during the 20th River Run in Laughlin that attracts large numbers of motorcyclists. It is one of the nation's biggest motorcycle events. This year's event drew 50,000 to 70,000 motorcyclists, Tunforss added.
Tunforss said the shooting appeared to be gang related.
"It's believed so. It's assumed so," he said. "Every year for this River Run, there's always threats of gang activity. We have actually separated the shooters the best we can in the hospital because it is believed they are rival gangs."
"Our Bullhead City task force from the police department and SWAT team has taken over the hospital in case there's any threats of anything else following up."
Two of the wounded were identified as the shooters, who were members of rival motorcycle gangs, Tunforss said. They were hospitalized with critical wounds. One of the two alleged shooters suffered four gunshot wounds, Tunforss added.
At the casino, near the area where gamblers normally try their luck with slot machines, authorities held scores of people after the shooting.
"There were about 100 people in handcuffs or spread-eagled on the ground," Tunforss said. "We were taking victims out from that area."
Bullhead City authorities were called in to assist Laughlin authorities. Harrah's sits as the farthest south of a string of casinos that line the west bank of the Colorado River.
'SOME OF THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT'
Authorities said Laughlin had been shut down to all vehicle traffic into and out of town.
"The majority of these people come here to have a great time, come here to have a vacation," Tunforss said. "But, unfortunately, when you get 50,000 to 70,000 people in one area, you're going to have some of the criminal element show up."
A nursing supervisor at University Medical Center in Las Vegas said four male victims, all of whom had been shot and three of whom had also been stabbed, were flown in by helicopter from Laughlin, and she was expecting a fifth. None of the wounds was described as life-threatening.
Even before the incident, the hospital had placed extra medical personnel on call during the River Run.
The annual River Run is Laughlin's biggest weekend of the year. Visitors come from across the United States, with most driving in from Southern California, Phoenix and Las Vegas.
The five-day River Run began on Wednesday, with events such as tattoo contests and concerts by rock groups, including the Doobie Brothers and Grand Funk Railroad. Manufacturers demonstrate their latest motorcycles and related products.
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