Stabbing Victim Hospitalized After Apparent SF Biker Gang Dispute
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- The stabbing of a man by a group of men believed to be members of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang on San Francisco's Market Street late Tuesday came after the suspects and victims attended a Lauryn Hill concert at the nearby Warfield Theatre, police said Wednesday.
The stabbing was reported around 11:50 p.m. Tuesday near Market and Taylor streets, police said.
Two men, ages 35 and 39, were leaving the concert venue when they were approached by a group of about 10 men who were wearing Hells Angels jackets and had apparently also been at the concert, police Sgt. Mike Andraychak said.
One of the suspects asked the 35-year-old victim if he was a member of the Mongols, a rival motorcycle gang, police said. Andraychak said neither victim is believed to be associated with any motorcycle gang.
The victims ran away and were chased by the suspects, who caught up with them and stabbed the 35-year-old man several times, police said.
The man suffered stab wounds to the back of his head and neck and a laceration to his lip. He was taken to San Francisco General Hospital to be treated for his injuries, which are believed to be life-threatening.
The other victim was not injured in the attack.
The suspects fled the scene on their motorcycles and had not been found as of Wednesday afternoon, Andraychak said.
They are described as white men in their 30s or 40s, at least one of whom had a full Hells Angels logo on his jacket, Andraychak said. Others had partial patches, signifying that they are "prospects or pledges" to the gang but are not yet full members, he said.
The two motorcycle gangs have a history of run-ins in San Francisco and throughout California, Andraychak said.
In 2008, Mark "Papa" Guardado, 46, was fatally shot outside a bar in the city's Mission District.
Guardado was the leader of the San Francisco chapter of the Hells Angels and his alleged shooter, Christopher Ablett, was a reputed member of the Mongols.
Federal murder and racketeering charges were filed against Ablett.
The case is still pending in federal court.
Anyone with information about Tuesday night's stabbing is encouraged to call the Police Department's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or send a tip by text message to TIP411.
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