Sturgis Shooting Indictments

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By Associated Press

Story Created: Aug 28, 2008 at 1:27 PM CST

Story Updated: Aug 28, 2008 at 1:27 PM CST

Grand jurors in Sturgis have indicted a Hells Angel biker injured in a shooting and five members of a gang made up of law enforcement officers and firefighters.

Joseph McGuire of Imperial Beach, Calif., was injured August 9th in the shooting at the Loud American Roadhouse during the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally.  Authorities say the man who shot him is Ronald Smith, an off-duty Seattle police officer.  Both men are charged with alternative counts of aggravated and simple assault. Smith is also charged with perjury.

The other men charged are Dennis McCoy of Seattle, Scott Lazalde of Bellingham, Washington, James Rector of Ferndale, Washington, and Erik Pingel of Aurora, Colorado.  All six are also charged with carrying a concealed pistol.

 

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Sunday, Aug 31 at 10:20 AM unfair fight!! wrote ...

LOL!!!! 5officers against 1 ha??? Why did they need a gun again??? they didnt!! That is not protecting yourself that is flaunting your so called power and thinking you are going to get away with it!! I for one am glad they arent!!

Saturday, Aug 30 at 6:45 AM justice wrote ...

This is a shame, these officers were protecting themselves against HELLS Angels. They are being railroaded by the cowards in the justice system... It makes me sick!

Saturday, Aug 30 at 2:24 AM Adrian wrote ...

Typical cops have to shot their guns can't fight like real men I'm sick of this garbage.

Friday, Aug 29 at 8:26 AM Ex Cop wrote ...

The grandjury did get this right. If these officers choose to run around pretending to be a motorcycle gang, what did they think would happen when they ran into a real OMG. Maybe more training is in order on this subject for them.

Friday, Aug 29 at 7:38 AM Loosh wrote ...

The grand jury didnt get this wrong. Notice how all the officers are charged, and only the one HA? That in itself is very telling. Federal law HR 218 protects officers only if the meet certain requirements. Obviously these requirements were not met.

Thursday, Aug 28 at 9:47 PM horrible wrote ...

The sad part is that law enforcement are on duty 24-7, but also need to follow the laws governing each state they choose to visit. We have strict laws about guns and alcohol establishments, they all broke the law. It's just too bad because I have much love for all law enforcement. I come from a long line of officers, and am proud of that. I just hope the truth on this one comes out clean on the pd side of it.

Thursday, Aug 28 at 6:26 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I didn't see that one coming. I think the Grand Jury got this one wrong. Cops are not cops 8-4 Monday through Friday. Cops are trained and expected to react when other lesser people run the other way; even when off duty!

Thursday, Aug 28 at 6:19 PM happy citizen wrote ...

good i am glad something came out of this!!! Sturgis isnt your playground to come cause trouble during the rally

Thursday, Aug 28 at 1:50 PM bikerDad wrote ...

Comforting to know there are police officers at the rally, getting into fights and carrying concealed weapons. Maybe Sturgis just isnt a safe place to be (during the rally) if everyone is packing heat!

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