Law enforcement officers across two counties in Texas, specifically Huntsville, say that incidents of shooting targeting motorcyclists on North I-45 are not only linked but also connected to ties with biker gangs and outlaws.
Three individuals lost their lives in separate incidents that occurred 40 miles away from each other on Friday.
Officials stated that both shootings, which took place shortly after the violent events, are thought to be linked to one another and connected to criminal organizations.
Initial cyclists struck
According to Cook, the Homietos attacked, presenting a chance for a competing gang, the Bandidos, since the shootings were a retaliatory strike following a fatal shooting in Oklahoma City earlier in April, stated Steve Cook, a specialist in investigating motorcycle gangs.
Cook stated, “This is simply a continuation of the feud. The shooting in Madisonville actually involved one of the victims of the homicides in Oklahoma City. In 2022, there was an incident in Madisonville, Texas, where some Bandido members were shot, and you were involved in the Homietos shooting.”
The news of the first shooting was learned by Eyewitness News when heavy police presence was posted in the Spring area at Oakwood Drive on northbound I-45, where at least one motorcyclist was shot around 11:36 a.M., According to information posted by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooting incident occurred at an unspecified location, as reported by the victim, a 32-year-old man, who contacted 911 at 11:08 a.M., According to the sheriff’s office.
The wounded person was swiftly taken to the healthcare facility, where he underwent “rigorous medical interventions” but sadly succumbed at 3:30 p.M., As reported by law enforcement officers.
Officials could identify him before he left the scene, where he was brought to the hospital when it was clarified in an update by deputies that a second motorcyclist was injured in the same incident with minor injuries.
Homicide, violent crimes, and gang task force detectives were assigned to investigate. Deputies didn’t believe there was a danger to the public.
The sheriff’s department also recognized a comparable shooting just along the highway in Walker County that resulted in a fatality.
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED: 2 instances of gunfire, separated by a distance of 40 miles.
Incident in close proximity to the Sam Houston statue
Clayton Homes near the northbound I-45 witnessed an incident that was later reported on Facebook. The Huntsville police arrived at around 1:15 p.M. And the news reached the ABC13 newsroom, revealing the escalating violence on the interstate.
Law enforcement stated that a report regarding the gunfire was received at 12:18 p.M.
Authorities stated that a 61-year-old individual was airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital located in the Texas Medical Center. The first responders, consisting of Texas DPS, Walker County sheriff’s deputies, and Walker County EMS, made efforts to rescue two individuals aged 43 and 69 who unfortunately passed away at the location.
The Police added that victims were part of an outlaw motorcycle gang, where they indicated that wearing insignia, clothing, and riding motorcycles were involved.
Detectives in this investigation believe it is connected to the murders in Montgomery County.
Katherine Caldwell Peters was driving her mother to Dallas to assist the lone survivor of the shooting scene in Huntsville.
A shooting had resulted in the motorcycle accidents. As she approached, she noticed that one man was hunched over his bike approximately 100 feet ahead of her vehicle. Initially, they mistook the scene for a severe collision on the highway, prompting around six to eight drivers, including herself, to come to a halt. She was among those who stopped.
Caldwell said that two people didn’t survive the fact and she’s still trying to process the danger in which all the drivers were. Only one biker was spared, flying across the highway dodging bullets.
She said, “The expression in that gentleman’s gaze had vanished. I have never witnessed anything of that nature previously. His eyes were fully widened and devoid.” “I am certain it will trouble me for a couple of days. Indefinitely, perhaps.”
There is no danger to the general population, yet authorities in Walker and Montgomery Counties have yet to disclose any details regarding the potential culprits.