'Outlaw biker gang': 3 dead in 2 separate shootings along same Texas highway, police say

Police say two separate shooting incidents that left 3 motorcyclists dead along a highway near and north of Houston Friday have 'outlaw biker gang' ties, KTRK reported.

"It was just such a chaotic scene at first," witness Katherine Peters Caldwell told the outlet of one scene near Huntsville, Texas.

Caldwell had pulled over to help after seeing an accident involving multiple motorcyclists who had been shot.

In all, three male motorcyclists were killed in two separate shootings along Interstate Highway 45.

The first person, a 32-year-old man, was shot along I-45 in the Houston suburb of Spring around 11:00 a.m. That incident took place in Montgomery County. The man, whom authorities have not yet identified by name, was transported to the hospital where he later died, KHOU reported.

About an hour later, about 50 miles away, near Huntsville in Walker County, three more motorcyclists were shot. Despite the life saving efforts of Walker County EMS, two men, ages 42 and 69, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A third man, age 61, was flown to Hermann Memorial Hospital in the Houston Medical Center for treatment.

"The three victims were all wearing clothing and insignia that indicated they were part of an outlaw motorcycle gang," Huntsville police said in a statement.

"Investigators believe at this time that incident in Huntsville and the shooting that took place in the 25000 block of IH 45 near Rayford Road in Montgomery County [in Spring] are related," the police also said.

Rival motorcycle gangs called the Bandidos and the Homietos may have been the primary players in Friday's incidents, motorcycle gang investigation expert Steve Cook told KTRK.

The men who were killed were part of the Bandidos. While the Bandidos were heading to a funeral in Oklahoma City Friday, the Homietos may have seized that opportunity to exact revenge in continuation of a longstanding feud.

The Huntsville Police are coordinating with the Texas Rangers on the investigation.

Authorities believe there is no threat to the general public at this time.

Law enforcement officials ask people with information in this ongoing investigation to call them. Montgomery County Sheriff's Office can be reached at 936-760-5800. The number for Sgt. John Thompson the Huntsville Police Department is 936-291-5427.

Watch KTRK-TV's coverage of Friday's deadly shootings along I-45 in Texas below.

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