LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Motorcycle Rider News) – The Henderson Police Department on Monday confirmed that a shooting that occurred over the Memorial Day weekend at 11:50 a.m. on the northbound U.S.-95 Freeway at College Drive involved members of rival motorcycle clubs. Police had both directions of the highway closed during its investigation.
According to a news release, the preliminary investigation indicates that those involved are all members or affiliates of rival motorcycle clubs, the Hells Angels and the Vagos.
Henderson police say arriving officers located multiple victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Six total victims were transported to a local hospital, two of which were in critical condition. A seventh person arrived at a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and was confirmed to be involved in the incident, police said.
Investigators identified three suspects involved in the incident: Richard Devries, 66, Stephen Alo, 46, and Russell Smith, 26. Police say the three men were taken into custody and booked into Henderson Detention Center on the following charges:
6 counts – Attempt Murder with a Deadly Weapon
6 counts – Battery with use of a Deadly Weapon causing Substantia Bodily Harm(criminal gang enhancement)
6 counts – Discharge Gun at/into Occupied Structure/Vehicle (criminal gang enhancement)
1 count – Conspiracy to Commit Murder with Deadly Weapon
A Former Hells Angels leader from California stated in an interview that he’s familiar with the rivalry between the two clubs. He says it’s been tense for a decade. “Really what it boils down to are territory and egos.”
There has been an ongoing dispute between the Vagos and the Hell’s Angels for years with incidents in Reno, California, and in 2019 at the El Cortez in Las Vegas. It’s possible Sunday’s shooting was a reaction to escalating tensions.
5/31/2022 UPDATE
Fox News Las Vegas update: An arrest report by HPD said it was initially reported that Hells Angels members shot two Vagos members on the highway. Six people were transported to Sunrise Hospitals with injuries, two of which were critically injured, HPD said. A seventh person was self-transported with non-life-threatening injuries.
HPD said Vagos members were riding the Flags Over Dam ride that started in Boulder City on Sunday. While setting up to start the ride, five Hells Angels prospect members were seen riding around, the report said.
The Vagos members then head to Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, HPD said.
“While at the cemetery, the same five Hells Angels prospects drove through the cemetery and began to cause problems,” according to the arrest report. The Hells Angels members reportedly left the cemetery about 15-20 minutes prior to the Vagos members leaving.
The Vagos riders were traveling northbound on US 95 near Wagon Wheel in a single lane. Multiple Hells Angels members were then riding in the two other lanes and approaching Vagos members, the report said.
Hells Angels riders began to kick Vagos members, trying to knock them over, the report said. Then one Hells Angels member stood up on the motorcycle and began shooting at one of the Vagos members, the arrest report said.
An anonymous witness called 911 and said the Hells Angels members were on the side of the freeway waiting, the report said. Video obtained by the witness showed the Hells Angels riders waiting on the highway, HPD said.
Boulder City police said multiple Hells Angels members were at Coffee Cup Cafe earlier that day, the report said. Police identified the members as Devries, the president of the Hells Angels Las Vegas chapter, and Alo and Smith as Hells Angels prospects. A fourth Hells Angels member was also listed as being at the cafe, the report said.
Police used cellphone data to track the suspect’s movements leading up to the shooting and placed them on US 95 at the time of the shooting, the report said.
Authorities said it continues to be an open investigation, and no further details will be provided at this time.
Anyone with information is urged to call Henderson Police at 702-267-4911, 3-1-1, or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or visit the Crime Stoppers website. Tips directly leading to a felony arrest, or an indictment processed through Crime Stoppers, may result in a cash reward.
