NMSP identifies suspect, 3 victims of Red River shooting

RED RIVER, N.M. –There’s new information on the shooting Saturday in Red River where multiple people had been shot and killed.

Investigators say they have accounted for all eight people involved, and there’s no threat to the community. 

The shooting happened at the large motorcycle rally held every year in the northern New Mexico town. 

“One thing I want to caution everyone and apologize initially to the law-abiding citizens that came to Red River to have a good Memorial Day weekend, not the gangbangers that are ruining it for all of them,” said NMSP Chief Tim Johnson. 

Police say the shooting happened around 5 p.m. Saturday in the area of E. Main Street at the Red River Memorial Day motorcycle rally. It left three people dead and five injured.

State police say everyone involved was affiliated with biker gangs.

“All eight individuals have been identified as outlawed motorcycle gang members — the Bandidos and the second one is a group called the Water Dogs,” said Johnson. 

Police say the shooting stemmed from another incident that happened in a different part of New Mexico.

“It was in Albuquerque and what we’re being told it was over somebody taking a picture with a different gang, it’s something as stupid as that,” Johnson said.

One person faces a murder charge, 30-year-old Jacob Castillo, who was one of the five injured.

Police say the three people who died resided in different areas of New Mexico.   

“Anthony Silva who’s 26 from Los Lunas New Mexico –he was a Bandido. It was a Randy Sanchez, 46, of Albuquerque — he was a Water Dog and there was a Damien Bro, he was 46 from Socorro, New Mexico, who was a Bandido,” said Johnson said. 

People injured from the gunfire were sent to different hospitals across New Mexico, and one airlifted to Denver, Colorado. Three people went to UNMH in Albuquerque.

A UNMH spokesperson says all three are expected to survive.

Police arrested two of those injured people in this shooting for unrelated drug and gun possession charges. Police also say they’re from Texas.

State police are looking to charge others too.

“The three remaining individuals who are not going to name today because they haven’t been charged with anything,” said Johnson. “Two of which are Bandidos, one of which is a Water Dog.”

Police say they learned a large biker gang presence would be in New Mexico before this shooting happened. 

“Prior to this incident happening, on Friday we had gotten some information from Texas DPS, who had been following approximately 400-500 Bandidos from Texas to the New Mexico state line knowing that they were headed here,” said Johnson. 

With this shooting happening in the height of a busy Memorial Day weekend, Red River Mayor Linda Calhoun wants business owners to remain cautious.

“On the recommendation of state police and our local law enforcement, we’re encouraging our businesses to not be open,” said Johnson. “The ones that we open will be taking extra caution to make sure they keep everybody safe.”