Two people have died and six others left injured after a 'shootout' at a biker rally in New Mexico.
Witnesses say the Red River area was on lockdown after the Memorial Day rally erupted into violence on Saturday, when witnesses heard shots ring out of the packed bar.
New Mexico State Police said, on Twitter, that there is no “ongoing threat to public safety.”
Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun said everyone involved in the shooting was a member of a motorcycle gang but she did not say which one.
Calhoun initially told the Journal three were dead and five were injured.
She said the shooting erupted around 5 p.m. at 400 East Main Street, along the main drag, as thousands of bikers milled about town.
“It’s very tragic. Our law enforcement was incredible. The first State Police officer was there within 30 seconds,” Calhoun said. “It’s the first time we’ve ever had anything like this. We do have accidents, we have had deaths before, but nothing ever like this.”
A dispatcher with the Red River Marshal’s Office said the shooting happened sometime before 6:30 p.m. outside the Motherlode Saloon on Main Street.
She said there are multiple victims but did not say how many were dead or injured. The dispatcher described the incident as an “active shooting” and did not say if the incident was ongoing.
It's believed police are reportedly looking for a group of bikers, The Sun reports.
An owner of the Motherlode Saloon told the Journal the shooting did not happen outside but along Main Street, a block west of their business.
The owner said everyone at the saloon was safe.
At least 25 motorcycles were seen following the ambulances headed to Holy Cross Medical Center.
The scene is still active, according to New Mexico State Police.
It was originally reported by the Albuquerque Journal that the shooting occurred at the Motherlode Saloon in Red River, but the bar took to Facebook to deny it, confirming the grave incident did not take place there.
More than 25,000 bikers were expected to be in town for the rally this weekend between May 25 to May 29.
New Mexico State Police said on Twitter that officers were investigating a shooting in Red River.
“The scene is active,” the agency wrote in its post. “More information will be released as it becomes available.”
