12 charged after shooting between rival motorcycle gangs leaves 2 dead, 3 injured in East Georgia

A shooting between rival motorcycle gangs has left two people dead and another three others injured following a fight in Richmond County on Saturday.

Deputies were called out to Sand Bar Ferry Road just after 6:30 p.m. Saturday for reports that someone had been shot.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they found five people with gunshot wounds.

Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen confirmed to WJBF that Keith Coates, 30, of Valdosta, and Germayne Farrell, 51, Daytona Beach, Florida, were pronounced dead at the scene.

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Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree said a total of 12 suspects have been arrested in the shooting – three of which remain in the hospital.

“To bring this type of violence to our city, to add us to a national mass shooting list is unconscionable. This is something we will not tolerate here in Richmond County. That is why each individual who is involved or we feel to be involved or has any part in this will face charges,” Roundtree said.

The sheriff said eight people are from the motorcycle gang Thug Riders from Florida, and four others are part of the Outkast motorcycle gang from East Augusta.

To make things worse, the sheriff said an emergency vehicle ran over one of the bodies at the scene in what the sheriff’s office said was a “freak accident.”

Roundtree said they believe this was a targeted attack by the Florida gang who traveled three to four hours to engage in gun violence. They believe it stemmed from a recent incident that started in Florida.

Roundtree said 13 motorcycles, one car, and 10 firearms were taken into evidence.

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