As is always the case, we must issue the following disclaimer before writing anything about the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club: The purpose of this article is not to provide a forum for Hells Angels and their enemies to bicker over who is a child molester, who beats women, and who cooks the best meth.
That said, charges have been filed against five men after a shootout between the Hells Angels and Vagos motorcycle clubs on Saturday.
Those charged include 44-year-old John Anthony Bernard, 39-year-old Kiley Steve Hill, 36-year-old Robert Edward Kittredge, 46-year-old Bruce Andrew Schweigert, Sr., and 47-year-old Larry Dean Scott, Jr.
Authorities say that on Saturday the two gangs had a bit of a spat in Chino Valley, just north of Prescott.
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office got several calls around 12:15 p.m. Saturday saying shots were fired in the 2600 block of Yuma Drive.
When deputies arrived on the scene, they immediately began arresting bikers.
Cops say at least 50 shots were fired in the brouhaha but nobody was killed.
There were five injuries, though, none of which were life-threatening.
In total, police made 27 arrests on charges of attempted homicide, aggravated assault, endangerment, participation in a criminal street gang, and unlawful assembly.
Of the 27 arrested, nine have been released and only five have been formally charged.
One gang member managed to slip away in an unknown vehicle before police arrived. That gangster is believed to be injured and cops are in the process of trying to track him down.
It's unclear what started the fight. Both the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office and the Yavapai County Attorney's Office are being tight-lipped about the whole thing. The county attorney's office told us yesterday that any further information about the shootout would have to be gathered through a public records request.
The men charged in the shootout have each been charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, endangerment and participating in a criminal street gang.
They are being held at the Yavapai County Detention Center on $75,000 bond.
