Biker Club Shootout in Calwa Leaves 1 Dead, 12 Injured

One person is dead and at least 12 are injured following a shooting early Saturday at a motorcycle club gathering in southeast Fresno.

The shooting erupted about 2 a.m. at the Soul Brothers clubhouse at Calwa Avenue and Pullman Street, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s spokesman Chris Curtice said deputies arrived at the chaotic scene to find hundreds of people running from the area as shots still were being fired. As many as 100 deputies along with Fresno police and California Highway Patrol officers sped to the scene.

Curtice said the Soul Brothers were hosting a dance in the clubhouse and about 500 people were present. The shooting erupted in the clubhouse and quickly moved outside, where a running gunfight ensued on Calwa.

The dead victim and several injured people were found in the clubhouse. Another injured victim was found sprawled on a nearby street.

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The Soul Brothers is a Fresno-area motorcycle club that is affiliated with other Soul Brother chapters in Northern and Southern California and several other states, including Arizona and Nevada.

Once a year, the club hosts other motorcycle clubs including the Oakland-based East Bay Dragons and clubs from throughout California and the southwest.

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The Soul Brothers club were founded several decades ago. The club touts its multiracial membership and the club’s patch depicts a black arm with clenched fist crossed with a similar white arm. Most members ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles; some also ride Japanese sport bikes.

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