 |
  |
| Visit the FMH Swag Store & support FR! | |
| Send FReepmail if you want on/off FMH list | |
| The List of Ping Lists | |
Posted on 03/20/2006 8:42:04 PM PST by TigerLikesRooster
Police prepare for biker gang warfare
By Greg Stolz and Paula Doneman
20-03-2006
From: The Courier-Mail
POLICE fear an all-out bikie war could erupt on Queensland's Gold Coast after a bloody gun and knife battle between rival gang members occurred at a kickboxing tournament in one of the tourist strip's top hotels.
Three men were shot and two stabbed as terrified patrons fled from the five-star Royal Pines Resort on Saturday night. Tensions between the rival Hell's Angels and Finks motorcycle gangs are running high and senior police said they feared reprisals.
Police and bikie sources said the brawl was sparked by a long-running feud over the defection of a senior Finks member to the Hell's Angels and incidents including a recent drive-by shooting on the Gold Coast.
"They hate each other's guts and this was a square-up," one senior police officer said.
The leader of the Hell's Angels Sydney chapter was shot twice in Saturday night's fracas and police are hunting the Finks gang leader allegedly responsible.
Witnesses said "all hell broke loose" after 20 to 30 bikies entered the Royal Pines ballroom minutes before the main bout of the VAS Xplosion kickboxing tournament about 10.30pm (AEST) on Saturday.
Tournament referee Cameron Quinn said what started as an isolated fight in the 1600-strong crowd "exploded into a flash of human violence".
"They were on a mission. It looked like two rival gangs had decided that tonight was going to be the night," said Mr Quinn, who took refuge under the fight ring as bullets flew.
"Chairs and glasses were flying - then the shots rang out and people started diving for cover. It was very violent and very explosive."
Another witness, who would not be named, said he saw a bloodied man slumped over the ring as another man tried to protect him.
"Bikies were throwing bottles and chairs everywhere," he said.
Fighter Tracy Polglase said at first she thought the gunshots were fireworks being used as part of the show.
"When everyone realised what was happening, we hit the deck and then everybody started running out of the auditorium," she said.
Fight promoter Ray Matsumura was hit by a chair as he tried to break up the brawl.
The toll included a Hell's Angels member who was shot in the throat and stomach. A Finks member was shot in the shoulder and two Hell's Angels were stabbed, while a spectator was wounded in the foot.
Late yesterday, three gang members were taken from the Gold Coast Hospital to the Southport watch-house and charged with affray. They are expected to face Southport Magistrate's Court today.
Surfers Paradise CIB chief, Inspector John Hartwell, said a large police taskforce was working to find the culprits and keep a lid on gang tensions.
"The issue of reprisals is a concern but we're hoping that it won't be," he said.
"Our endeavours will be to make sure it doesn't occur."
Insp Hartwell said it was "a concern" that guns had been smuggled into the event, however Royal Pines spokeswoman Chelsea Steber said: "It was something that was out of our control and out of the promoter's control and had nothing to do with the kickboxing event itself".
|
|
| Visit the FMH Swag Store & support FR! | |
| Send FReepmail if you want on/off FMH list | |
| The List of Ping Lists | |
Bikies?
the Aussie lingo for motorcycle gang.
LMAO!! Appropriate photo choice there!!
ROFL I forgot about him LOL!
What happen to that actor
I like the kid in Road Warrior he seem look like mini Ted Nudget he was bad*** that kid LOL!
I heard he was chromed and is a permanent hood ornament on a Mack Truck . . . somewhere . . . out there . . .
That movie being show conitnutely on AMC TV lately Road warrior otherwise known as Mad Max 2 LOL!
They should do special feature on what happen to on VH-1 that be cool find out what happen to rest of cast of Road warrior I like to know what happen to that little Ted Nudget kid LOL!
Emil Minty:
Tha's down und'r for biker.
Damn he turn out be good looking dude
That one thing I remember about Road Warrior HIM LOL!
These bikers (I refuse to use the term 'Bikies') need to join forces to kick some tail against those who like to do it 'Leb style' and ya' know what I'm talkin' 'bout!
What's this about shootings ~ guns are outlawed in Australia.
Bikie is just too cute ~ Biker isn't much better.>:-}
I heard he was chromed and is a permanent hood ornament on a Mack Truck . . . somewhere . . . out there . . .
Nah. That was someone else.
Kickboxing while on bikes could cause some serious road rash.
pronounced "boikies"
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.