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Motorcycle gang member fatally shot on I-80 near Truckee

Staff and wire reports

TRUCKEE, Calif. — A motorcyclist was shot to death on Interstate 80 near Truckee on Saturday, prompting authorities to close the highway for several hours to investigate.

Officials with the California Highway Patrol Truckee office said three motorcyclists rode up to the victim — identified Monday as Jeffrey Sterling Duke, 57, of Georgetown, Calif. — at about 4 p.m. Saturday and fired gunshots before taking off.

Duke was shot “multiple” times, according to CHP, and died at the scene.



The motorcyclists were traveling westbound, west of Overland Trail, located roughly a half hour west of Reno.

CHP Officer Pete Mann told the Sacramento Bee the victim was associated with the Vagos biker gang. Investigators were trying to gather information about the assailants and were asking witnesses to come forward.



According to a Monday statement from CHP, officials said it has yet to be determine if the shooting is motorcycle gang-related.

Westbound lanes of the interstate were closed at the Nevada state line, causing traffic to back up for miles.

Thousands of people on motorcycles were in the region this past weekend, mainly in downtown Reno, for various events associated with the Street Vibrations Fall Rally.

Five years ago during Street Vibrations, members of the Vagos and Hells Angels gangs exchanged gunfire during a deadly brawl on the floor of a casino in nearby Sparks, Nev.

This year, outside of the fatal drive-by shooting on I-80, Street Vibrations was rather tame, according to the Reno Police Department, which made 11 arrests this weekend, one for a felony.

“This year’s Street Vibrations event, compared to last year, was again quite busy based on the number of people in the downtown venue,” RPD Lt. Rob Larson said in a statement. “Reno Police thankfully saw no major incidents related to the event, and our presence inside the venue was well received by tourists and vendors who commented on how safe they felt having Reno PD there.

“The crowd’s interaction with our officers was very positive, and overall, the event was successful from a public safety standpoint.”


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