VFW shootout in FL (UPDATED)
Details are a little sketchy on the links sent to us by Old Trooper and Country Singer in regards to a shootout at a Winter Springs, Florida VFW post as a formation of bikers were leaving the post after breakfast to embark on a charity ride. The only thing about the shooting is clear; two are dead and another biker is injured after scores of rounds were fired. WFTV link;
Some witnesses at the scene told Deal that the shootout involved a biker gang known as the Warlocks and was sparked by a dispute over turf and power. But police would only confirm that Warlocks members were at the VFW at the time of the shooting. Some of the people questioned by police were wearing Warlocks clothing — and were sitting on the ground in handcuffs.
“Those people are at the scene, and they are interviewing them now trying to ascertain their involvement,” said Lt. Doug Seely of the Winter Springs Police Department.
Some of those questioned by police who were wearing handcuffs were eventually moved inside the VFW building. Tow trucks hauled away vehicles riddled with bullet holes.
So, it looks like the shootout was a result of biker gang rivalries, not necessarily related to the VFW post. But, I guess we’ll see.
UPDATE: It looks like we were right that it wasn’t related to the VFW or anything else. Dana sends us a link to the Orlando Sentinel which explains;
Details of the shooting have not been released, but Winter Springs police noted that a Pennsylvania Warlocks chapter that was not affiliated with the Florida Warlocks tried to start a second chapter in Seminole county.
Sounds like the locals vs. the “snowbirds”. But four people have been arrested for the murder;
I don’t know how Otis Campbell got mixed up with that crowd, but that’s him in the first picture, isn’t it?
Category: Veterans Issues
Could the breakfast have been THAT bad?
This is why I will not allow colors on my Post.
What are the odds that the Warlocks are cruising down the street, see a group of motorcycles, and, being the MENSA members that they are, jump to an unsupported conclusion?
The cooks might have tried to serve them Powdered Eggs!
@2, this is a tough call, banning all colors. The article generated a mini-debate between a couple American Legion Rider leaders here, both of whom I have the utmost respect for (do we or don’t we associate with MCs).
There are a lot of veteran clubs who do charity events. Supporting one another leads to greater participation and more benefit to the causes supported, such as Fisher House. Where is the line drawn – with a no colors rule, not associating, banning attendance at rides and runs? Or do you try and ban 1%er clubs only?
It’s easy to paint all clubs with a broad brush, but a lot of these riders do great things and can bring tremendous value to the Legion and VFW.
I’ll be interested to see more details on this shooting once they come out. Did the VFW rent the hall to the Warlocks, was it uninvited attendance, simply a shooting in the area of the Post or something else entirely different?
And do you allow the newer VFW Riders to have their vests on in the Post?
http://vfwofwi.com/wi-vfw-news/bikers-vfw-riders-groups-new-national-vfw-rules-open-the-door-to-formation/
I read yesterday that the charity was organized for “injured bikers” which lead me to believe the VFW was rented and did not have anything to do with a Veteran cause.
http://www.wesh.com/news/central-florida/Winter-Springs-shooting-kills-2-injures-1/-/11788162/16794672/-/vva0k5z/-/index.html#ixzz27yeuVzr6
“Some witnesses at the scene….” I particularly like accounts from witnesses not at the scene. And we all know about witnesses. Four, one each at a corner where an accident occurs, results in four differing accounts. Then there’s the gun factor. Witnesses at a gun fight are usually frozen in fear or ducking for cover. They rarely see anything other than the “really BIG gun.” Yeah, I’ll await the investigation outcome, thanks.
CDR JMA I understand your position. However, would a veteran MC be allowed to ride on to your post wearing their cuts remove them before entering, and then put them back on upon leaving your post?
Weird, I was just listening to the Warlocks circa 1965 doing “Early morning rain” and opened TAH to see this.
We have had charity rides and charity events in a couple of different Legion Posts put on by the Legion Riders, where full colors of 1% Clubs were in attendence with no problems whatsoever. The Legion Riders were wearing their vests, too, so it all comes down to respect. Legion Riders are NOT a MC, we are a riding association, period. There have been instances where some new Legion Riders wanted to act like they were in a MC and were either corrected immediately by the Legion Rider leadership, or, in a rare instance, by a MC. What you don’t want is to be corrected by the MCs, because then things can get dicey quickly, especially if it is a 1% MC.
We enjoy a decent relationship between our Legion Riders and the 1% Clubs in our area i.e. we leave them alone and they leave us alone and we show proper respect to them at all times, so there is no harm, no foul. However, there was an instance, recently, where things could have gotten out of hand, but I believe has been resolved peacefully, with corrective action taken.
I am quite familiar with the Warlocks MC and with many of their members. I also have a friend who is a recently retired Winter Springs LEO. I will ask of both what their take is on this.
I think the gunfire was attributed to one biker blowing his nose in front of another biker. Maybe the DOD can print up some pamphlets for biker cultural awreness.
“If a biker calls your significant other an “old lady”, that is considered a compliment, not an insult.
If someone says “You have a purdy mouth”, that may be an invitation to a sexual encounter. You may not be recpetive to that sexual encounter, but it is your fault for having a “purdy mouth”.
If someone whacks you in the back of your head with a pool stick, that is how he expresses displeasure with you damaging his motorcycle.
The 3 fatalities were Florida Warlocks, the arrestees are from the “other” Warlocks club, no affiliation to the Florida Warlocks, (with Phoenix bird as center patch), with the 3rd dying after reaching the hospital.
Oh, looky, Jonn posted girl eye candy again!
/sarc off
So I guess being an outlaw MC member is perfectly acceptable, as long as they do not “bother” others and do ‘charitable’ acts.
Granted the bloods and the crips don’t go around having fund raisers for wounded warriors and toys for tots, but still, they are still a bunch of criminal elements.
More angry, disgruntled vets?
@15: I wasn’t endorsing the 1% Clubs, just stating the reality of the situation. If you want to have an organized group of motorcycle riders, you are going to eventually catch the attention of the MCs and it would be in the best interest of all involved to know the protocols before any encounters take place.
As this turns out, it was MC v. MC and it unfortunately happened in a VFW parking lot.
Well as it turns out they all were found not guilty vis the stand your ground law
So that’s a good thing if you pull a gun on someone be prepared to pay the price