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CNN Live Saturday

Police Say Rival Motorcycle Gangs Responsible for Shoot-out in Nevada Casino

Aired April 27, 2002 - 17:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now back to our top story concerning the deadly fight at a Harris casino in Nevada. It happened in Laughlin, which is about 80 miles southeast of Las Vegas. And CNN's Thelma Gutierrez is covering the story for us, and she joins us live now with a report. Hi there, Thelma.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello there. Authorities are calling this the worst shooting inside of a casino in Nevada's entire history. Right now, 100 people are in the casino. They've been detained for questioning. Authorities inside talking to them right now. The casino itself is closed down. The hotel has many guests. The guests have been allowed to move inside and out; many have gone simply to other casinos in town.

The tens of thousands of bikers are here in Laughlin, Nevada for an event called the Riverrun. This is the 20th annual Riverrun. And normally, it's a peaceful event. But early this morning, around 2:15, witnesses say, members of rival gangs, the Mongols (ph) and the Hell's Angels started fighting near the bar inside Harris. Witnesses say the men pulled out guns on each other, and quickly a gun battle erupted that spread into the casino.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All of a sudden, there was about 15 shots that I heard. Pandemonium broke out. A whole slew of people from particular motorcycle gangs went running. Everybody hit the floor. It was quite shocking.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We could actually see a dead body from our room on the street. I mean, they had a sheet over it, but it was obvious what it was. And just feel really sad about it, because it's a lot of great people here trying to have a good time. It's just upsetting and it's very sad.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There were bodies around. Lots of bodies.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GUTIERREZ: Three men were killed at the scene. Four people were transported by air to Las Vegas. At least 11 people were wounded in the melee. Some were stabbed; some were shot. Several are listed in critical condition. We should mention that we do not know yet if any of the wounded were actual clients or patrons of the hotel. Police have not yet commented. We're expecting a news conference to begin at any time now.

We should also mention that there are reports of another man, a 29-year-old, whose bullet-riddled body was found off the 40 freeway between Laughlin and Los Angeles in San Bernardino County. Police do not know whether or not that is tied to the rival shoot-out that happened here in Laughlin. Back to you.

WHITFIELD: And Thelma, do we have a better explanation perhaps from authorities out there as to what exactly these rival gangs may have been fighting over specifically?

GUTIERREZ: That's a really good question. No indication yet as to what even started the fight. I understand it was a fist fight that then led to a gun battle that moved into the casino, but they have not yet commented on the nature of that fight. We're expecting a news conference, and hopefully some of those questions will be answered.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks, Thelma. And of course, we'll try to bring to our viewers that press conference live.

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