Two people were killed and four injured after a shootout between rival motorcycle gangs erupted in Georgia on Saturday.
Over 150 rounds were fired at a motorcycle clubhouse in Augusta in a shooting that Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree called ‘unprecedented’ in the city.
‘With the amount of firepower and carnage we saw at the scene, this could have been a much more horrific event,’ Roundtree said.
At least 20 deputies rushed to the scene at the Outkast Motorcycle Club’s house in a residential neighborhood in Augusta. They arrived to find six people suffering from gunshot wounds, two of whom were later declared dead.
Investigators believe that the shootout was the result of a dispute between two rival motorcycle gangs, the Outkast Club and the Thug Riders.
‘It is our belief that this incident stemmed from an incident that recently occurred in Florida involving Outkast,’ Sheriff Roundtree said. ‘The Thug Riders came to Augusta in retaliation for that event.’
As a result, Sheriff Roundtree said many of the bikers were ‘individuals from out-of-town, living nowhere near Augusta.’
The deceased bikers were identified as Germayne Farrell, 51, of Daytona Beach, Florida, and Keith Coates, 30, of Valdosta, Georgia.
Another four bikers were transported to local hospitals for treatment. These included three Thug Riders – Jonathan Keaton, 31, Deja Dotson, 30, and Larry Ross, 44, all of Georgia.
A fourth injured victim was identified as an Outkast Club member, Kenneth Taylor, 43, of Boynton Beach, Florida.
Deputies also seized 13 motorcycles, one vehicle, and 10 firearms, which were ‘tossed by fleeing suspects,’ Sheriff Roundtree said.
On Monday, the Sheriff Roundtree announced the arrest of 12 suspects related to the shooting. The suspects were arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault, the sheriff said at a press conference.
Roundtree said that 11 of the 12 suspects came from outside the Augusta area. They also included all four of the injured bikers.
Four of the suspects were identified as Outkast Club members: Tyson Harper, 38, Larry Sutton, 42, and James Bryant, 31, and injured biker Taylor.
Another eight were members of the Thug Riders: McKayla Rickett, 26, Matthew Willis, 28, Jessica Sapp, 30, Cory Sapp, 30, Freddie Crosson, 39, as well as the three injured bikers from the club.
Additionally, Roundtree said the Sheriff’s Office was on high alert for the rest of the weekend after they received reports that other bikers might make their way to the area to retaliate.
‘We received actual information that regional affiliates of the motorcycle clubs involved were mobilizing and possibly preparing to travel to Augusta in retaliation.’
The sheriff began notifying regional law enforcement across Georgia and South Carolina, and notified hospitals in the area about the possibility for another shootout.
‘We truly appreciate the public’s trust and understanding while we deal with this continually evolving major incident,’ Sheriff Roundtree said.
This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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