Anthony William Benesh III, a 44-year-old man from Austin, Texas, was tragically shot and killed on March 18, 2006. Benesh, his girlfriend, and his two young sons were leaving Saccone's Pizza in Northwest Austin when a single bullet from a high-powered rifle struck him in the head, killing him instantly. The incident occurred in a crowded parking lot, and no one saw who fired the shot.
The investigation into Benesh's death revealed that he had recently been involved in a dispute with
members of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club. Benesh had been displaying the colors of the Hells Angels, a rival motorcycle club, and was attempting to start a Texas chapter of the Hells Angels without the permission of the Bandidos' leadership. This led police to believe that the shooting was a targeted attack by the Bandidos.
In the years following Benesh's death, law enforcement conducted a thorough investigation that eventually led to the arrest and conviction of several high-ranking members of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club. In 2018, Bandidos National President Jeffrey Fay Pike and Vice President Xavier Portillo were found guilty of orchestrating Benesh's murder, among other charges. They were sentenced to life in federal prison.
The case highlighted the violent rivalry between the Bandidos and the Hells Angels and underscored the dangers associated with motorcycle club disputes. Benesh's death remains a poignant reminder of the impact of such conflicts on individuals and their families.
