On May 27, 2023, a tragic incident occurred during the annual Red River Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally in New Mexico, resulting in the death of Damian Breaux, a 46-year-old resident of Socorro, New Mexico. Breaux was one of three individuals killed in a shootout that erupted between two outlaw motorcycle gangs, the Bandidos and the Water Dogs, on Main Street in Red River.
The confrontation began around 5 p.m. when members of the two gangs encountered each other.
What started as a verbal altercation quickly escalated into a physical fight and ultimately led to gunfire. The dispute reportedly stemmed from a photograph taken by one of the gangs with another outlaw biker gang in Albuquerque a few days prior.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Jacob David Castillo, a 30-year-old member of the Water Dogs from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, was initially arrested and charged with an open count of murder in connection with Breaux's death. A criminal complaint filed in Taos County Magistrate Court specifically accused Castillo of shooting and killing Breaux.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the Taos County district attorney's office filed to dismiss the first-degree murder charge against Castillo on June 13, 2023. This decision was made to allow prosecutors unrestricted time to potentially build a stronger case. The district attorney stated that public safety was seriously considered before dropping the charges, knowing that Castillo would be released without conditions.
Two other individuals, Christopher Garcia and Matthew Jackson, were also arrested on charges unrelated to the shootings. Garcia, 41, was charged with possession of cocaine, while Jackson, 39, faced charges of unlawfully carrying a firearm inside a liquor establishment.
The incident has raised concerns about the presence of outlaw motorcycle gangs in the area. New Mexico State Police Chief Tim Johnson announced a 'zero tolerance' policy following the shooting, vowing to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting the State Police with the ongoing investigation.
