Thursday, September 29, 2011

Gonzalez From Los Vagos Sought For Fatally Shooting San Jose Hells Angels President In The Back

Jeffrey "Jethro" Pettigrew

Ernesto Manuel Gonzalez

Photo: Sparks Police Department

Washoe County DA issued a warrant for Gonzalez, a member of Los Vagos Motorcycle Club in connection with the San Jose Hells Angels president Pettigrew homicide .

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 29, 2011

Sparks, Nevada - On Thursday, the Washoe County District Attorney's Office unsealed an affidavit that identified Ernesto Manuel Gonzalez, 53, as the alleged suspect who fatally shot Jeffrey "Jethro" Pettigrew, 51, at the John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino. Both Gonzalez and Pettigrew are from San Jose, California. Pettigrew, president of the San Jose Hells Angels Chapter in California was gunned down inside the casino. Gonzalez is a member of the Vagos Motorcycle Club.
Sparks Police Detective John Patton stated in an affidavit, that Gonzalez was caught on video surveillance walking up to Pettigrew and then shot him in the back multiple times. Pettigrew suffered four fatal shots in the back from a .40 Caliber handgun. Patton confirmed that seven fired .40 Caliber casings were recovered nearby where Pettigrew was killed on Friday.
The Washoe County District Attorney's Office issued a warrant for Gonzalez arrest.
Pettigrew and members of the Hells Angels were attending the 18th Annual Street Vibrations Motorcycle rally in Sparks, which draws more than 30,000 motorcycle enthusiasts for the five day event. The rally was cancelled by Sparks Mayor R. Geno Martini to avoid further bloodshed after Pettigrew was killed and three members of a rival motorcycle club Los Vagos were wounded in the shootout.
Two Vagos members shot in the melee were identified as Diego Garcia, 28, who was shot in one leg and Leonard Ramirez, 45, who was reported shot in the abdomen and is recovering from the injury. Shane Smith, 40, another Vagos member was shot in a drive-by the next day at another location.
Cesar Villagrana, 36, a member of the Hells Angels was arrested and charged for assault with a deadly weapon and in possession of a stolen weapon, according to the criminal complaint. Villagrana was caught on video surveillance shooting at a crowd of bikers and people. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on October 12, and is being held on a $500,000 cash bail, according to court records.
California court documents state, that Villagrana was charged in March for possession of a handgun. He got into a motorcycle accident in Aptos on March 17 and police investigating the scene found a loaded baretta handgun among his gear on the road. He pleaded not guilty. The case is pending.

Connected by MOTOBLUR™ on T-Mobile

No comments: