Hells Angels Bikers in Casino Brawl

The Hells Angels had a run in with the Mongols, a rival motorcycle gang, in 2002 which left three people dead. Their trial started this week with the jury selection. The Hells Angels are charged with racketeering and firearms charges in conjunction with the three deaths in Laughlin.

The Hells Angels had been staying at the Flamingo Hilton, while their rivals, the Mongols had been staying at Harrah’s. Both gangs were in town for the 20^th Annual Laughlin River Run was taking place, an event that draws thousands of bikers every year to the small gambling town. The two groups kept crossing paths, with the tensions between them getting worse with each passing instance. Finally, early on April 27, 2002, the Hells Angels stormed into Harrah’s with guns, knives, hammers, etc. with the intent of hurting and/or killing members of the rival gang. 

After some talking between the two groups, gun shots were repeatedly fired into the casinos as patrons hid behind slot machines attempting not to be killed in the crossfire. Bikers were beaten and three men were killed with a dozen seriously injured. It is believed that the bikers involved in the melee on the Hell’s Angels side were actually trying to increase their status within the gang, and thought that this might be a good way to do it.

slot machine, slot machine, slot machine, slot machine

Back to September Archive or Slot Machines