National Western Complex shootout

On January 30, 2016, a brawl involving gunfire and knives broke out between rival motorcycle clubs at the National Western Complex, in Denver, Colorado. One person was killed and seven others were injured.[1]

National Western Complex shootout
DateJanuary 30, 2016 (2016-01-30); 12:48 p.m.
Location
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Caused byRivalries between motorcycle clubs
MethodsShooting, stabbing, beating
Parties
Number
~ 30
16
Casualties
Death(s)1
Injuries7
Arrested1

Shooting

On January 30, police responded to a brawl that broke out between rival motorcycle clubs inside the National Western Complex, located near the Denver Coliseum just north of Interstate 70.[2] The Complex was hosting the 38th Annual Colorado Motorcycle Exposition, where motorcycle clubs across the country had gathered, including the Bandidos Motorcycle Club and Hells Angels.[1][3][4]

The Iron Order Motorcycle Club had 16 of its members in attendance at the expo, and only stayed for an hour. In an attempt to leave the expo, the group left down a flight of stairs near the basement of the complex, where several Mongols had booths selling T-shirts. Three Iron Order members were separated and confronted by a much larger group of around 30 members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, a Mongol challenged them and told them to leave. A Mongol approached them and knocked a beer out of the hands of an African American Iron Order member while yelling a racial slur at him.[5][6]

A fist and knife fight broke out at 12:48 p.m., with several Iron Order members being severely beaten and stabbed. In response an Iron Order member who works for the Colorado Department of Corrections, pulled out his gun and fired one shot into the ceiling. A Mongol charged at him but was gunned down and injured. Another Mongol attempted to tackle the gunman as he fled up the stairs, but was struck and fatally injured.[2]

An Iron Order member was handcuffed and taken into custody Saturday following the brawl.[2]

Victims

According to the medical examiner's report, seven people were injured. Three remain in critical condition, three are stable, and one other person suffered lesser injuries.[7] The sole fatality was identified as 46-year-old Victor Mendoza, a Mongol who was shot in the chest.[4]

Aftermath

The emergency room at Rocky Mountain Regional Trauma Center, where the injured were taken, was placed on lockdown by the Denver Police Department out of fear of the conflict spreading.[1]

Dr. Kevin McVaney of the Denver Health Medical Center said three were in critical condition, suffering gunshot wounds, while the six others were reported as being stable.[1] The two gravely injured were said to be members of the Mongols and Iron Order.[7]

As a result of the shooting, the second day of the motorcycle expo was cancelled.[8]

The Denver Police Department has released few details of the incident. According to the Associated Press in 2016, the Iron Order formed in 2004 and is one of the fastest growing motorcycle clubs in the U.S.[9]

See also

References
  1. Stack, Liam; Southall, Ashley (January 30, 2016). "One Dead and Several Wounded in Shooting at Colorado Motorcycle Expo". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  2. McGhee, Tom (January 30, 2016). "Motorcycle club lawyer: members attacked by rival gangs at Denver expo". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  3. "Attorney: Fatality Was Member of Motorcycle Club". ABC News. January 30, 2016. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  4. Contreras, Oscar (January 31, 2016). "Victim in Colorado Motorcycle Expo biker club shooting identified as Victor Mendoza". 7NEWS. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  5. Ellis, Ralph (January 30, 2016). "1 killed, 7 hurt in shootings, stabbing at Denver motorcycle show, police say". Fox 13 Now. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  6. Horan, Kyle (January 31, 2016). "Biker club lawyers tell differing stories of expo shooting". 7NEWS. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  7. "Breaking news on Denver Coliseum shootings, Jan. 30, 2016". Breaking News. January 31, 2016. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  8. "Denver cancels second day of motorcycle expo after shooting kills one". Denver Post. January 30, 2016. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
  9. Gurman, Sadie (February 2, 2016). "Fast-growing motorcycle group is largely for law enforcement". Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
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