Headline Surfer photo graphic / TOP: Two Central Florida motorcycle gangs get into fisticuffs with shots fired on State Road 44 in New Smyrna Beach. LEFT: Fisticuffs prior to arrival of New Smyrna Beach cops on Saturday, March 8, 2025, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- The New Smyrna Beach Police Department is currently investigating a shooting that occurred today during a Bike Week melee between two rival biker gangs in the 3000 block of State Road 44.
NSBPD released a statement on the breaking news incident as follows: "Preliminary information is that the shooting occurred between rival motorcycle gangs. At this time, any and all injuries appear to be non-life-threatening. Please avoid the area as the investigation is underway at this time."
The violent incident occurred during the second to last day of Bike Week, an annual special event in greater Daytona Beach that draws upwards of half a million tourists.
The 10-day motorcycle rally ends tomorrow. So far, three motorcyclists have been killed in roadway accidents at Bike Week.
The Incident in NSB:
- The Groups Involved:
The confrontation was a clash between the Mongols and Warlocks motorcycle gangs. - The Escalation:
What began as a physical altercation involving dozens of bikers quickly escalated to gunfire. Video footage captured witnesses scrambling for cover inside the gas station while 12 to 15 shots were fired. - Injuries:
Two rival gang members suffered gunshot wounds (one grazed in the head, one shot in the stomach) and were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
UPDATES: Post-Bike Week biker melee
- Operation Mongolian Beef:
In July 2025, following a multi-agency investigation by the Volusia Sheriff's Office and the FBI, authorities executed coordinated raids that resulted in the arrest of 28 members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club on felony aggravated rioting charges. - Convictions:
By December 2025, the State Attorney's Office secured convictions in connection to the shootout. For example, one of the primary shooters, Clinton N. Walker, pled no contest to aggravated rioting and conspiracy, receiving a sentence of five years in prison.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Headline Surfer was recognized with a Breaking News Award for three stories in the 2025 statewide Florida Press Club Journalism Competition (2nd-place among small daily news outlets):
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