At least three dead and multiple injured in shootout between rival bikie gangs

At least three people have been killed and at least five have been injured in a mass shooting at a New Mexico biker rally.

America’s latest mass shooting has come at the hands of rival biker gangs in the state of New Mexico during a holiday weekend parade.

At least three people were killed and at least five others were injured after a shooting between rival biker gangs erupted at a New Mexico motorcycle rally on Saturday, local time, police confirmed to the New York Post.

The victims were struck by gunfire at around 5pm local time when shots rang out outside a retail sector of the mountain resort town of Red River, Questa del Rio News reported.

A police officer stands guard as man with a Bandidos MC patch assists a shot biker in Red River, New Mexico, U.S., after a shootout between members of two motorcycle gangs. Picture: Supplied.

“It was gang-related,” the town’s Mayor Linda Calhoun said in a video posted by the news outlet on social media.

All the victims were “contained” in the shooting — none were local residents, according to the report.

Police said one victim was flown to a Denver hospital and said there was “no threat to public safety.”

Prayers for all impacted by todays shooting in my home town. Was a great day as I having dinner with my wife in Red River. What a helpless feeling not having a badge,gun or radio as State Police officers and others enter the restaurant and slowly everything closes down and you pic.twitter.com/7TcC1LYIYv

— APD Chief of Police (@ABQPoliceChief) May 28, 2023

The shooters are in custody, according to Ms Calhoun.

Law enforcement requested that local businesses around the area of the shooting remain closed on Sunday as they continue their investigation.

The fatal shooting occurred during the 41st Annual Red River Memorial Motorcycle Rally, a festival promising to bring in “28,000 bikers from all different backgrounds.”

The Taos News reported that a law enforcement officer had referred to the incident over central dispatch as “a rolling shootout – between Banditos (Motorcycle Club) and someone else.”

Speaking to a local ABC affiliate, one witness described chaos breaking out in the huge crowd.

“There were people running by where we were standing, screaming, ‘There’s shooting down there’,” said Eddie Cook.

“As everybody was running by, then I heard the gunshots.”

Riding through #redriver this afternoon. #redriverbikerallypic.twitter.com/5wSJhCtneL

— Mic (@Mic18) May 28, 2023

BREAKING 3 dead, 5 injured in shooting at Memorial Day motorcycle rally in Red River, New Mexico, mayor says, Suspects in custodyhttps://t.co/QSHBFQ61z1pic.twitter.com/Pbasrv5OY6

— Newstongue (@newstongue) May 28, 2023

Taos Mayor Pascualito Maestas declared a civil emergency after the shooting.

The town of Taos, located about 65km from Red River, prohibited retailers, bars, and other establishments from selling alcohol under the emergency proclamation.

It also enacted a curfew until 4am local time on Sunday.

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said he was in Red River, his hometown, and felt “helpless” during the chaos.

“What a helpless feeling not having a badge, gun or radio as State Police officers and others enter the restaurant and slowly everything closes down and you don’t even know if you can get to your car or if it’s in the scene,” Mr Medina said.

“Prayers for all the officers out there. This wave of gun violence impacts all of New Mexico large or small.

Police have not yet confirmed who was behind the shooting.