RIVERSIDE: Two bikers shot, one killed, in gas station shooting
Writer’s note: While reading this article you might notice the motorcycle club name Hells Angels. While one would think there should be an apostrophe in Hell, (ie. Hell’s Angels,) the correct way HAMC members refer to their club is Hells Angels; without an apostrophe. Thank you to those many people who pointed out what appeared to be an error; however, Hells Angels – without the apostrophe – is correct.
That being pointed out and settled, PLEASE keep those corrections coming – whether it be on Facebook PM, e-mail or smoke signal – as I truly appreciate all the help I can get. Especially since I don’t have a dedicated editor to assist me with my reports…yet. LOL
Like I have always said, “I would rather be correct than be right.”
-TM
RIVERSIDE — Two motorcyclists believed to have ties to the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club were shot and one died during a violent, seemingly unprovoked encounter at a Shell gas station, Sunday night, May 21.
Riverside police officers converged on the gas station after the shooting was reported. Loudlabs News photo
City of Riverside Police officials are trying to determine what, if anything, led to the fatal shooting and have asked for the public’s help identifying those involved in the deadly incident.
The shooting was reported to emergency dispatchers just before 10:30 p.m., when an attendant at the gas station called 911 to report a shooting in progress at the location.
The attendant told dispatchers an unknown person opened fire at the group of bikers as they were standing near their bikes and the gas pumps and that the shooting was happening at the business on the 3500 block of Adams Street, near the 91 Freeway, in Riverside.
City of Riverside Police and Fire officials and American Medical Response medics responded to the gas station after emergency dispatchers received the frantic 911 call.
When officials arrived, “they located an adult male who was suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound,” Riverside Police Sgt. Troy Banks, of the department’s Robbery – Homicide Unit, explained in a written press release after the fatal shooting.
A second motorcyclist who had been riding with the group was struck in the helmet by a bullet but was uninjured, according to a fire official at the scene.
A bike lays on its side after the deadly shooting. Loudlabs News photo
Firefighter/paramedics immediately began evaluating and treating the fallen biker before American Medical Response medics rushed him to the Riverside Community Hospital.
Despite further life-saving efforts, the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead by hospital staff.
Coroner’s officials later identified the shooting victim as James Duty, 31, of Orange. According to officials, Duty died less than thirty minutes after he was shot. He was pronounced dead at 10:58 p.m.
Detectives from the department’s Robbery – Homicide Unit and Gang Intelligence Unit responded to the gas station and assumed the investigation. They were assisted by evidence technicians from the department’s Forensic Unit as well as the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and coroner’s officials.
During their investigation, officials learned the Orange County victim and at least three other motorcyclists he was riding with were passing through Riverside when they exited the 91 Freeway and stopped to refill their tanks.
Officers search for evidence near two of the four motorcycles. Loudlabs News photo
As the bikers stood near their motorcycles at a row of pumps, a car reportedly pulled up to the gas station.
According to witnesses and evidence recovered at the scene, a passenger exited the vehicle and without provocation began shooting at the motorcyclists, striking two of them.
The unidentified shooter then jumped back into the waiting vehicle and it fled the area before officials arrived at the scene.
Officials are trying to determine what, if anything, led to the fatal shooting.
During the shooting investigation the gas station and surrounding area remained cordoned off, while evidence technicians photographed and documented the scene and officials searched for and gathered evidence related to the shooting.
Two bikers who were detained at the scene were both wearing vests adorned with Hells Angels insignia, patches and logos. The motorcycles and helmets were also covered with Hell’s Angels logos and symbols. Based on their patches and insignia, one of the detained riders appeared to be a full-patch Hell’s Angels member and the other was a “prospect,” or prospective member.
Officials remained at the scene for several hours investigating the deadly shooting. Loudlabs News photo
As the investigation continued, the four heavily customized motorcycles remained at the gas station. One of the four bikes was left laying on its side.
Officers could be seen searching for possible evidence on the ground as well as the gas station’s rooftops and on top of a large propane tank. As part of their investigation, officials also viewed and collected security camera footage from the gas station.
The business remained cordoned off and closed to business for several hours until officials concluded their initial investigation. As of daybreak, officials were still at the location, processing the crime scene, interviewing potential witnesses and collecting evidence.
Anyone with information about this investigation or who witnessed the deadly shooting is encouraged to contact Detective Jim Simons at (951) 353-7138 or Detective Adrian Tillett at (951) 353-7105. Callers can refer to incident file number P17-090790 and can remain anonymous.
Click any image to open full-size gallery.
LOUDLABS NEWS provides the Los Angeles and surrounding areas with overnight “NEWS” footage.
Videos are available to law enforcement agencies, fire and rescue departments, upon request.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg and breaking his back in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.