BREAKING NEWS

Police: Deadly Tempe shooting was clash of Mongols, Hells Angels

Yihyun Jeong and Adrian Hedden, The Republic | azcentral.com
Tempe police Sgt. Josie Montenegro addresses the media on Thursday, August 18, 2016. Police say a man is dead and another wounded after a shooting involving rival gangs outside a Tempe bar.

Police say a clash between rival motorcycle gangs Hells Angels and the Mongols at a Tempe sports bar left one man dead and another man injured Wednesday night.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting, according to Tempe police, but officials have not said what charges they would face.

Officers were in the area of Mill Avenue and Baseline Road on another call when they heard the gunshots just before 11 p.m. Wednesday. Upon arrival, they found a man with a gunshot wound walking away from the Final Round Sports Bar, said Sgt. Josie Montenegro, a Tempe Police Department spokeswoman.

The man was hospitalized with serious injuries but was expected to survive, said Montenegro, who credited the quick response of the officers. 

A second man found wounded inside the bar was given first aid by officers and Tempe Fire Medical but died at the scene, she said. A third man who attempted to flee later was found by detectives, she said.

No names were released late Thursday afternoon, but Montenegro said the gangs involved were the Hells Angels and the Mongols.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Southern California-centered Mongols Motorcycle Club has earned a reputation for violence since taking over the Hells Angels' turf in Los Angeles in the 1980s, starting a feud between the two gangs. The Mongols have partnered with other gangs to compete for territory and members with the Hells Angels, the Justice Department said. 

Hells Angels, arguably the best-known motorcycle club, has about 800 members who the Justice Department say lead the production, transportation and distribution of marijuana and methamphetamine. Authorities say the gang is also involved in other criminal activity, such as extortion and homicide. 

It is believed that a rule exists between the two gangs that members have to shoot each other upon sight. 

Police ask anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Tempe Police Department at 480-350-8311.

Tempe police investigators were at the scene the morning after a shooting outside the Final Round Sports Bar and Grill on Aug. 17, 2016.