New Mexico motorcycle rally: 3 dead, 5 wounded in shooting

In a shooting incident at a New Mexico motorcycle rally, three men were killed and five injured on Saturday.

The 3 deceased were members of rival outlaw biker gangs. The violence stemmed from a previous altercation between them in Albuquerque, authorities said on Sunday. Three other bikers are facing charges and two of them were among the five wounded in the shooting involving the Bandidos and the Waterdogs in the mountain resort town of Red River, New Mexico State Police said.

The wounded were transported to hospitals in Denver, Albuquerque and nearby Taos.

Those killed were identified as 26-year-old Anthony Silva of Los Lunas, 46-year-old Damian Breaux of Socorro and 46-year-old Randy Sanchez of Albuquerque. Two were declared dead at the scene and the third at a hospital, New Mexico State Police chief Tim Johnson said.

30-year-old Jacob Castillo of Rio Rancho will be charged with an open count of murder when he’s released from a hospital while 39-year-old Matthew Charles Jackson of Austin, Texas, is facing a charge of unlawful carrying of a firearm inside a liquor establishment, said Johnson.

The police also said 41-year-old Christopher Garcia, also of Texas, has been arrested on suspicion of cocaine possession after being treated at a hospital.

“It’s very tragic,” Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun said. “It’s the first time we’ve ever had anything like this.”

Red River’s calendar touted the 41st annual Red River Memorial Motorcycle Rally, saying “Get ready for the rumble as 28,000 bikers from all different backgrounds line Main Street for one crazy party.” 

“The shooters have all been apprehended,” Calhoun said.

“There is no threat to the community,” Calhoun added.

“Our law enforcement was incredible. The first State Police officer was there within 30 seconds,” Calhoun said.

(With inputs from agencies)