On May 27, 2023, a deadly shootout occurred during the 41st Annual Red River Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally in Red River, New Mexico, leaving three people dead and five injured. NM Department of Public Safety.
Incident Overview
The shooting erupted around 5:00 p.m. on East Main Street when a confrontation broke out between members of the Bandidos and Water Dog outlaw motorcycle gangs. Good Morning America. Police say the dispute began over a photograph taken by one gang member with another outlaw biker gang in Albuquerque days earlier. Good Morning America. What started as a verbal conflict escalated into a fight and then multiple rounds of gunfire.
Victims
All eight people involved were identified as OMG members:
- Killed:
- Anthony Silva, 26, of Los Lunas (Bandido)
- Damian Breaux, 46, of Socorro (Bandido)
- Randy Sanchez, 46, of Albuquerque (Water Dog). NM Department of Public Safety
- Injured:
- Jacob David Castillo, 30, of Rio Rancho (Water Dog) — charged with murder, injured in the shooting. NM Department of Public Safety
- Christopher Garcia, 41, of TX — charged with cocaine possession, unrelated to shooting. NM Department of Public Safety
- Mathew Charles Jackson, 39, of Austin, TX — charged with unlawful carrying of a firearm in a liquor establishment. NM Department of Public Safety
- Four other injured men remain unidentified unless charged. NM Department of Public Safety
Five injured were taken to local hospitals; one later died, and a sixth was airlifted to Denver. NM Department of Public Safety.
Police Response
New Mexico State Police Chief Tim Johnson condemned the violence, apologizing to law-abiding attendees and vowing “zero tolerance” for such incidents, even for minor offenses like jaywalking. Good Morning America. He confirmed that before the rally, authorities had intelligence about a large biker gang presence, with reports of 400–500 Bandidos from Texas heading into New Mexico. KOB.com.
Charges and Investigation
- Jacob Castillo faces an open count of murder; he is hospitalized and will be booked into Taos County Detention Center upon release. NM Department of Public Safety.
- Christopher Garcia and Mathew Jackson face unrelated charges and have been booked. NM Department of Public Safety.
- The remaining four injured are not yet charged. NM Department of Public Safety.
- The case remains under investigation by the NM State Police Investigations Bureau with assistance from the Crime Scene Team. NM Department of Public Safety.
Community Impact
The rally, which drew up to 28,000 bikers and a live music festival, was described as family-friendly, but the incident disrupted the event and heightened security measures for future gatherings. Good Morning America.