Calif. Hells Angels Leader Killed In Shootout at Nevada Casino

The president of the Hells Angels' San Jose chapter was fatally shot at a Nevada casino during a gunfight with members of the rival Vagos motorcycle gang. Jeffrey "Jethro" Pettigrew, 51, was killed and two Vagos members were injured.

The president of the San Jose chapter of the Hells Angels was fatally shot at a Nevada casino during a gunfight with members of the rival Vagos motorcycle gang.

Jeffrey "Jethro" Pettigrew, 51, worked in the city of San Jose's transportation department, but police know him as the charismatic local Hells Angels leader.

In the Friday evening shootout on the casino floor of John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Vagos Motorcycle Club members Leonard Ramirez, 45, and Diego Garcia, 28, were also shot.

Hells Angels member Cesar Villagrana, 36, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a stolen firearm. He was captured on video surveillance firing into the crowd.

The shootout recalls the infamous motorcycle club gunfight at Harrah's Casino & Hotel in Laughlin, Nev., in 2002. In that showdown, members of the Hells Angels and the Mongols motorcycle clubs fought each other, leaving one Mongol and two Hells Angels dead.

Source: Silicon Valley Mercury News.

Related:

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs: Making the Cut

Arizona Jury Labels Hells Angels as Criminal Gang

About the Author