New Mexico: Motorbike Gang Fight Leaves 3 Dead, Suspect Captured
Two rival outlaw biker gangs exchanged gunfire, leaving three dead and five injured at the annual Red River Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally in New Mexico. Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Red River, a mountain resort town approximately 75 miles northeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico, became the site of a deadly confrontation on Saturday. Three individuals lost their lives, and five others sustained injuries in a harrowing gunfight.

The incident occurred during a motorcycle rally involving rival motorbike gangs, said the authorities.

State Police Chief Tim Johnson addressed the media on Sunday, shedding light on the disturbing events that unfolded on the town's bustling main thoroughfare.

The clash erupted between members of the Bandidos and Waterdogs gangs, resulting in a lethal exchange of gunfire, Reuters noted.

Chief Johnson described the incident as a clash between rival gang factions and emphasized that the violence was confined to the gang members themselves, assuring the public that no innocent bystanders were harmed.

Two deceased individuals were associated with the Bandidos gang, while one was linked to the Waterdogs gang, said Johnson.

In the aftermath of the incident, law enforcement took immediate action. Matthew Jackson, a 39-year-old Bandido commander from Texas, was apprehended and charged with unlawfully carrying a firearm. Another Bandido member, Christopher Garcia, 41, also from Texas, was arrested on suspicion of cocaine possession. Additionally, Jacob Castillo, a 30-year-old Waterdog member from New Mexico, faces charges of murder.

The New Mexico Motorbike Gang Fight

The highly anticipated 41st annual motorcycle rally in Red River took a tragic turn this weekend when a violent altercation between rival biker gangs escalated into a shooting, per ABC News.

The event, expected to draw approximately 28,000 bikers, ended in bloodshed on Main Street's east side, leaving a gloomy cloud hanging over the vibrant gathering.

The New Mexico shootout stemmed from a dispute between members of two biker gangs which unfolded around 5 pm, according to Johnson. The initial spark was the alleged theft of a photograph depicting members of one outlaw biker gang taken a few days prior in Albuquerque.

"That spilled over to here, where they ran into each other again, and a confrontation started. It started with words initially; then it turned into a fight, which turned to shots fired," Johnson said.

Tragically, two individuals affiliated with the Banditos gang lost their lives during the altercation and were identified as 26-year-old Anthony Silva from Los Lunas, New Mexico, and 46-year-old Damian Breaux from Socorro, and Randy Sanchez, a 46-year-old Water Dogs member from Albuquerque.

Following the incident, Garcia and Jackson, injured during the encounter, received medical attention at a nearby facility before being transferred to the Taos County Detention Center.

Three other gang members sustained injuries in the shooting, said Johnson. However, specific details about their conditions were not disclosed. One of the injured individuals required urgent medical attention and was subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Denver, emphasizing the injuries' severity.

Taos Mayor Declared Civil Emergency Following New Mexico Motorbike Gang Fight

In the wake of the shooting incident that shook Red River, law enforcement officials have urged businesses around the crime scene to temporarily suspend their operations on Sunday as authorities diligently investigate the tragic events that unfolded during the motorcycle rally.

The repercussions of the shooting reached the nearby town of Taos, prompting Mayor Pascualito Maestas to declare a state of emergency. Taos, located approximately 40 miles away from Red River, swiftly responded to the escalating situation by imposing a series of measures aimed at maintaining public safety, according to NY Post.

In response to the unfolding events and to prevent any potential further disruptions, Taos enacted a ban on the sale of alcohol in various establishments.

A curfew was implemented, remaining in force until Sunday at 4:00 am local time to ensure the well-being and security of residents and visitors.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: 8 shot, 3 fatally, at New Mexico biker rally - From ABC7