ARVADA, Colo. (KDVR) — One person has died and several others were taken to the hospital after two motorcycle clubs had an altercation Saturday night.
Forty-three-year-old William Henderson died. He had been arrested in a bust targeting the Hells Angels members last year.
“Motorcycle groups, Hells Angels and what we believe to be the Mongols motorcycle group, were involved in a shooting,” Detective Dave Snelling with the Arvada Police said.
It happened just after 10 p.m. and, according to police, started at 5980 Lamar St. in Arvada. During the investigation, Lamar Street was closed between 58th and 62nd.
“It was a pretty brutal situation people were gunned down on their bikes as they were riding in the steet,” Nightwolf Band drummer, John Akal said.
Witnesses claim they heard 10 to 15 shots fired. Caught in the crossfire on Lamar Street was a Good Samaritan named Ryan McPherson.
“He was bleeding out of his ear and he was bleeding out the back of his head,” Akal said.
McPherson is the lead singer in the classic rock band, Nightwolf. The band had just finished their second set at a nearby bar and went outside to get some air, when they spotted a man lying in the street. Bandmate, Akal says Ryan rushed to help.
“He’s a big teddy bear of a guy. This is absolutely in his character to go to help someone,” Akal said.
But as Ryan was tending to the person with the gunshot wound. Police say he was assaulted.
“Somebody came up behind him and clubbed him with something and caused severe head trauma,” Akal said.
Akal ran over to Ryan’s side, and stayed with him until the ambulance arrived.
“We were trying to talk to him all the while saying his name. But really we couldn’t even get a hand squeeze out of him,” Akal said.
McPherson is in an induced coma at a local hospital. Akal is hoping police will narrow in on the suspects.
“I’m hoping they get caught. I’m hoping they are prosecuted for this.”
A fundraiser has been set up to help McPherson.
It’s unclear how the clash between the Hells Angels and Mongols motorcycle clubs started. Arvada Police do not have suspects in custody. Anyone with information about this incident should contact Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP.