Jeffrey "Jethro" Pettigrew, 51, worked for 20 years as a heavy equipment operator for the city's Department of Transportation. But San Jose police know him as the charismatic local leader of the notorious biker club that law enforcement has long identified as one of the most powerful and influential criminal motorcycle gangs.
Local police and other gang experts predicted that Friday's homicide, which sources said has been attributed to members of the Vagos Motorcycle Club, could presage further bloodshed.
"In the outlaw motorcycle gang culture, Jeff Pettigrew was a local icon in San Jose, a very well-respected member within the ranks of the Hells Angels," said San Jose police Sgt. Larry Day, who has investigated biker clubs.
"This incident could definitely result in retaliation against the Vagos, and a full-blown war that may result in deadly violence in San Jose and throughout California."
The shootout on the casino floor of John Ascuaga's Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks recalls the infamous motorcycle club gunfight at Harrah's Casino & Hotel in Laughlin, Nev., in 2002. In that showdown, members of the Hells Angels and the Mongols motorcycle clubs fought each other, leaving one Mongol and two Hells
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Jeffrey "Jethro" Pettigrew, 51, the president of the San Jose chapter of the Hell's Angels motorcycle club, was killed at John Ascuaga's Nugget hotel-casino in Sparks, Nev. late Friday.
Two members from of the Vagos motorcycle club, Leonard Ramirez, 45, and Diego Garcia, 28, of California were injured.
Police say their injuries are non-life-threatening.
Just before 11:30 p.m. Friday, a fight broke out involving members of the rival Hell's Angels and Vagos motorcycle clubs.
Shots were fired near Trader Dick's bar inside the casino. No employees or Nugget guests were injured, according to police.
One Hells Angels member, Cesar Villagrana, 36, of Calif., has been arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a stolen firearm. According to the police report, Villagrana was observed on videotape shooting into the crowd during the incident, but police don't believe he fired the shot that killed Pettigrew.
Witnesses are still being questioned in connection with the incident.
Second Shooting in Sparks Prompts State of Emergency
On Saturday, around 11 a.m., a second shooting occurred in Sparks. Police are investigating any possible links with the Nugget shooting Friday.
One person, a motorcyclist, was shot in the stomach by a person driving by in a BMW with tinted windows but is expected to live, authorities said.
The driver sped away after the shooting, and is still being sought.
The second shooting prompted the city to declare a state of emergency.
"We don't want to alarm our residents," said Sparks Mayor Geno Martini according to the Associated Press. "The declaration merely provides some tools and tactics our city can and should use if it comes to that."
The state of emergency allows the city to use private property for city use, declare a curfew and use state resources if necessary.
"In light of a shooting involving rival members of motorcycle clubs at a Spark Casino Friday night, and a subsequent drive-by shooting on Victorian Avenue in Sparks this morning, a state-of-emergency has been declared by the City. It is expected the Governor will also declare a state-of-emergency on behalf of the City of Sparks. Pursuant to the police powers vested in the City of Sparks, the Street Vibrations motorcycle event in Sparks will be cancelled for the remainder of the weekend," according to a statement from the city.
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