A person who was shot and killed during a confrontation between two biker clubs at the Colorado Motorcycle Expo on Saturday has been identified by the Medical Examiner's Office.
Victor Mendoza, 46, was among the eight people hurt inside the National Western Complex after a fight broke out between members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club and members of the Iron Order. Four people were shot, one person was stabbed and three others suffered lesser injuries. Mendoza died from a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the Medical Examiner's report.
The announcement comes a day after the Department of Corrections confirmed with Denver7 that one of its employees was involved in the fracas.
-- Different versions of the attack --
On Sunday, attorneys representing both clubs had differing accounts of how the fight happened.
Stephen Stubbs, who represents the Mongols, told Denver7 members of the Iron Order instigated the attack after one of them pulled a gun and threatened some of the Mongols. Mendoza, who was part of the Mongols, was eventually shot. Mendoza’s shooting was followed by a large brawl in which there were fistfights, a stabbing and multiple shootings.
But John Whitfield, the attorney representing the Iron Order, told Denver7’s Kyle Horan the scuffle began after one of the Mongols said a racial slur to an African American member of the Iron Order. Whitfield added the brawl then took place, and one member of the Iron Order pulled out a gun and started shooting, fearing for his life.
The altercation has put into question whether the Motorcycle Expo will take place in Denver next year.
“We’re going to have to really assess how this event, if at all, will be held in our city,” said Denver Manager of Safety Stephanie O’Malley during a press conference Saturday night.
Security is not the only concern for residents. One vendor Denver7 spoke with said he was unhappy with how events unfolded, which caused him to lose a day worth of sales.
“To shut down something like this because two or three people, bad characters, I think that’s wrong,” said vendor Angel Duran.
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