Soon before a California Hells Angel motorcycle gang chapter president was fatally shot and stabbed in a crowded Sparks casino bar during Street Vibrations, video surveillance captured the man punching a rival gang member, and then pistol-whipping several people before gunshots were exchanged, according to court documents obtained by the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Killed during Friday night’s rumble at Trader Dick’s at John Ascuaga’s Nugget was Jeffrey “Jethro” Pettigrew, 51, president of the Hells Angels chapter in San Jose.
While the Hells Angels call themselves a motorcycle “club” they are considered a criminal street gang, or “outlaw motorcycle gang” by the Department of Justice.
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Cesar Villagrana, arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after being allegedly observed "shooting into the crowd," at John Ascuaga's Nugget during a fight between rival bike clubs during Street Vibrations. It is unknown if he actually hit anyone, Sparks police said.One of Pettigrew’s gang members, Cesar Villagrana, 36, of Gilroy, Calif., was the lone person arrested by Sparks Police, who are still reviewing surveillance footage to identify those involved and possibly injured in the 11:30 p.m. incident Friday that caused the City of Sparks to cancel the remainder of Street Vibrations, and declare a 24-hour state of emergency to obtain additional resources to ensure community safety.According to a probable cause affidavit supporting Villagrana’s arrest, police said he was captured on video surveillance drawing a gun out of his waistband and “actively firing into a crowd of uninvolved citizens, as well as rival motorcycle gang members known as ‘Vagos.’” The document said Villagrana was with Pettigrew for the area’s annual motorcycle festival, Street Vibrations. In the shooting’s aftermath, Pettigrew died at the hospital of gunshot and stab wounds to his torso, the affidavit said. Two Vagos members were also treated for non-life threatening gunshot injuries: Leonard Ramirez, 45, and Diego Garcia. Police said Villagrana’s 9 millimeter Smith and Wesson semi-automatic handgun was stolen in 1998 out of Arizona. Authorities said he was arrested in April by Gilroy, Calif., police for possession of an unregistered handgun in his vehicle and participating in a criminal street gang. The dispositions were unknown Tuesday. The affidavit said that Villagrana did not speak to police and demanded an attorney. Tuesday, it was unknown if he is represented by counsel and no court date had been set. Villagrana is being held in the Washoe County Jail in lieu of $500,000 cash bail. He has refused jailhouse media interviews. Sparks police on Friday were dispatched to John Ascuaga’s Nugget on a report of a fight inside the casino, the affidavit said. Dispatchers said several shots had been fired, and bystanders were seeking cover under craps tables. A Sparks police supervisor witnessed Villagrana pointing his gun, and yelled for him to drop his weapon. He complied and was arrested. He was booked into jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of stolen property, carrying a concealed weapon, aiming a firearm at another and discharging a firearm. Sparks police are continuing their investigation. Monday, Sparks police said a 40-year-old Vagos member was the victim of a Saturday morning drive-by shooting that occurred while he was riding his motorcycle. Police have said they have been unable to definitely link the incident to Friday’s shooting. Friday’s gunfire between the two motorcycle rivals isn’t the first time public gunfire exchange between the two. In April 2010 in Chino Valley, Ariz., multiple people suffered non-life threatening gunshot injuries after the two groups fired dozens of gunshots at each other, resulting in several arrests. |
Villagrana is being held in the Washoe County Jail in lieu of $500,000 cash bail. He has refused jailhouse media interviews.
Sparks police on Friday were dispatched to John Ascuaga’s Nugget on a report of a fight inside the casino, the affidavit said. Dispatchers said several shots had been fired, and bystanders were seeking cover under craps tables.
A Sparks police supervisor witnessed Villagrana pointing his gun, and yelled for him to drop his weapon. He complied and was arrested. He was booked into jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, possession of stolen property, carrying a concealed weapon, aiming a firearm at another and discharging a firearm.
Sparks police are continuing their investigation.
Monday, Sparks police said a 40-year-old Vagos member was the victim of a Saturday morning drive-by shooting that occurred while he was riding his motorcycle. Police have said they have been unable to definitely link the incident to Friday’s shooting.
Friday’s gunfire between the two motorcycle rivals isn’t the first time public gunfire exchange between the two. In April 2010 in Chino Valley, Ariz., multiple people suffered non-life threatening gunshot injuries after the two groups fired dozens of gunshots at each other, resulting in several arrests.