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[DDavidson]

3 dead, 1 hurt in Ariz. motorcycle rally shooting

(AP)

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Three people were killed and one was critically wounded in an apparent murder-suicide shooting at a northern Arizona motorcycle rally, authorities said Saturday.
The shooting occurred late Friday at a campground at Mormon Lake, about 35 miles southeast of Flagstaff. The victims were all participants in the annual "Too Broke for Sturgis" motorcycle rally, according to the Coconino County Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff's spokesman Gerry Blair said two men and a woman were killed. Another woman from the same group was shot six times and was in critical condition at Flagstaff Medical Center following emergency surgery.
Two other women in the party were taken to the same hospital to be treated for shock, Blair said.
The victims' names were being withheld pending notification of family.
Blair said Saturday the shootings were "beginning to look more and more like a murder-suicide because we don't believe there is a suspect still out there."
At the scene, investigators learned the two women had been sitting in chairs outside a camper when they were shot. One man was found shot several times. The other man was found dead on the ground with a handgun near his hand, Blair said.
Blair added that deputies assigned to the rally heard what sounded like gunshots at about 11:20 p.m. Soon after, a flood of calls came into the 911 system advising dispatchers of a shooting with multiple victims at the campground.
About 2,000 people were attending this year's motorcycle rally in the small community of Mormon Lake. Blair said the promoter has canceled the remainder of the event.

[DesertHOG]

Follow up article from Monday's AZ Daily Sun -


The shooting at a motorcycle rally at Mormon Lake on Friday night that left three people dead and one critically injured appears to have started out as a dispute over food.

According to information from the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, Edgar Atzin, 45, of Phoenix, Trina A. Atzin, 43, of Phoenix and Christian Tejada, 38, of Peoria were all camping together and were friends. The Atzins were married. They all died at the scene.

The fourth victim, a 33-year-old female, was shot six times, underwent surgery at Flagstaff Medical Center and was listed in "critical but stable" condition as of 12:30 p.m. Sunday, said Gerry Blair, spokesperson for the sheriff's office. Her relationship to the group is not being released to protect her identity, Blair said.

According to the investigation, it appears Tejada became involved in the fight over food with another member of their group Friday at about 11:20 p.m. The shooting followed.

The Atzins were found by deputies in close proximity to the trailer the group had been using. Tejada was found by a witness some distance from the trailer with a single gunshot wound under his chin and a handgun close to one of his hands.

Detectives are investigating the possibility that the deaths were the result of a murder-sucide, and that alcohol consumption was a factor in the shooting. The investigation is ongoing.

Deputies assigned to the rally heard what sounded like gunshots Friday night. Soon after, a flood of calls came into the 911 system advising dispatchers of a shooting with multiple victims at the campground.

The shooting drew a heavy police response, with officers from the sheriff's office, the Flagstaff Police Department, the Department of Public Safety, the area anti-gang task force and FPD's tactical team.

About 2,000 people attended this year's motorcycle rally, in its 20th year with the last several years of the event being held at Mormon Lake. The promoter canceled the remainder of the event.

On the event Facebook page, the following message was left by "The Staff": "Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Our prayers go out to the families of the victims of this senseless tragedy.

"Thanks to everybody for their understanding for us having to cancel the rest of the event. I can assure that respect for the dead and the safety of our attendees played no small part in that decision.

"As you can imagine, we have a lot to sort out with this year's tragedy before we can even think about the future of Too Broke.

"We are asking everybody to be patient and wait for the officers and board to have a chance to recover from their shock and sadness before they can meet and discuss such things."

Reporter Eric Betz contributed to this report. Larry Hendricks can be reached at 556-2262 or lhendricks@azdailysun.com.



Read more: http://azdailysun.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/investigators-alcohol-fueled-food-fight-led-to-shooting/article_e37d15e2-6bb8-5a68-beb5-71873071b348.html#ixzz1T8uT7AgJ

[grandpadoc]

...mind numbing isn't it. Your with friends at a great event and this happens. Our prayers go out to the families and friends of the diseased.  Lou and Terry

[greglyon]

Guns and booze; a recipe for disaster. 

[CVOJOE]

The shooting at a motorcycle rally at Mormon Lake on Friday night that left three people dead and one critically injured appears to have started out as a dispute over food.

 

[2timen]

I was at this rally when the shooting took place. It is a shame that this did happen and my prayers go out to the families. The one thing that I have noticed in all the reports and not mentioned is that this had nothing to do with the rally or bikers at all. From what I have learned (I was questioned by the police at the time)was that this was a domestic disput. And could have happened any time or place. But it took place at the rally and was a big blow to all who attendded. This has always been a great rally and may never recover from this. The people of the Arizona Abate put on one of the best rallies I have ever attended and I wish them luck on over coming this. If they get it back together I for one will be there.

[Eagle Eye]

It just doesn't stand to reason one domestic event would cause cancellaton of the event.  It really had nothing to do with the event.  Sturgis, Laughlin, Daytona and Reno have all had shootings over the years.  But they still have the event each year.