3 killed, at least 5 injured in New Mexico motorcycle rally shooting

Three people were killed and at least five others were injured during a shooting at a motorcycle rally in New Mexico last Saturday, authorities said on Sunday. At least three individuals were arrested.

The shooting took place at around 5 p.m. on Main Street in the town of Red River, about 170 miles northeast of Albuquerque, where several outlaw motorcycle gangs had gathered for the 2023 Red River Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally.

When police officers arrived at the scene, there were two people fatally wounded and six others injured, who were transported to local hospitals. One of the injured individuals was later pronounced dead at the hospital. 

The details of the shooting were not immediately available. The incident is being investigated by the Phoenix field division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 

The dead were identified as Anthony Silva, 26, of Los Lunas; Randy Sanchez, 46, of Albuquerque; and Damian Breaux, 46, of Socorro.

The Justice Department defined gangs as "organizations whose members use their motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal enterprises." There are more than 300 active outlaw motorcycle gangs across the country, the agency said. 

Five of the gangs—the Hells Angels, the Mongols, the Bandidos, the Outlaws, and the Sons of Silence—"pose a serious national domestic threat." Police said that the altercation on Saturday was between the Bandidos and the Water Dogs motorcycle gangs. 

Three individuals involved in the shooting were arrested, police said. Jacob Castillo, a member of the Weaterdogs was charged with murder. Christopher Garcia, 41, from the Bandidos motorcycle gang was charged with possession of cocaine. Matthew Jackson of the Bandidos gang was charged with illegally carrying a firearm in a liquor establishment. 

 “My thoughts are with the Red River community following this violent incident,” tweeted Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.