Police Fear War Of Cycle Clubs Hells Angels Member Accused In Shooting Which Left One Ghost Rider Member Dead
A gang war between outlaw motorcycle clubs in Spokane is possible, say authorities who opposed reducing a $1 million bond for a Hells Angels murder suspect Thursday.
Timothy G. Myers, a founder of the Spokane chapter of the Hells Angels, is charged with murder and assault for fatally shooting a member of the rival Ghost Riders and wounding his friend.
The shooting occurred Dec. 9 during a fight at Comet Tavern, 5028 N. Market, in which someone ripped Myers’ Hells Angels “colors” from his jacket.
The Angels’ “death-skull” logo from Myers’ jacket was stolen by Ghost Riders president Kenneth “Maggot” Fisette, who fled before the shooting, court records say.
Fisette’s nephew, Gary G. Fisette Jr., 23, was critically wounded and Sean P. Kilgallen, 31, was killed when two shots were fired outside the tavern.
Police recovered a 9mm semiautomatic handgun from bar patrons who were beating Myers on the street when officers arrived.
Within the culture of motorcycle gangs, members can face internal punishment - even execution - if they lose their trademark colors without a fight.
Someone stole Kenneth Fisette’s Ghost Rider colors in an April 1994 assault at the Ghost Rider clubhouse in East Spokane. Another Ghost Rider had his eyeball gouged out in that attack.
No arrests have been made in that assault, but law enforcement experts believe newly arrived Hells Angels likely were responsible.
The same experts suspect the Comet Tavern fight began with an act of retribution against Myers for the April attack.
“The public could be in danger because of a possible rival gang war,” Deputy Prosecutor David Hearrean told Superior Court Judge James Murphy during Thursday’s bail hearing.
Hearrean, who heads a gang prosecution unit, argued against the bond reduction, claiming Myers is a flight risk and a danger to the community.
Police Detective Minde Connelly said Hells Angels routinely hide fugitive members.
“This individual is a risk to society,” Connelly told the judge.
But defense attorney Bevan Maxey said violence between the Angels and Ghost Riders could occur whether or not Myers is in jail.
“It’s easy to say, ‘He’s a Hells Angel, keep him in jail forever,”’ Maxey said. “I don’t think that’s what the Constitution says.”
The judge reduced Myers’ bond to $75,000 and set a Feb. 12 trial date. The 42-year-old former railroad laborer remained in jail late Thursday.
Maxey said his client likely will claim self-defense.
He said Myers was sitting alone in the tavern, drinking a beer, when he was accosted.
Shortly after the shooting, someone returned Myers’ Hells Angels death-skull logo to American Motorcycle, police said. The Spokane shop at 3527 E. Sprague is a frequent hangout for Angels and their associates.
Police speculated that the colors were returned as a peace offering.
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