FALL RIVER — Police searched the clubhouses of the Sidewinders Motorcycle Club and the Outlaws Motorcycle Club Thursday morning, less than one week after an Oak Bluffs man was fatally shot during a brawl between members of the two competing clubs.
About 11:40 a.m., law enforcement officers, some wearing body armor, staged on Kilburn Street, according to a witness who asked he only be identified by his first name, Shane.
He said officials blocked off surrounding streets before moving behind the mill building at 394 Kilburn St., where the Sidewinders Motorcycle Club has a clubhouse.
“They [law enforcement] had guys at each end of the street waiting,” said Shane.
A Herald News reporter was not permitted to walk behind the mill building. At least one Fall River Police K-9 Unit and several other police vehicles were visible from the street about a half hour after the police action.
The Sidewinders were a visible presence on Kilburn Street, said another witness who identified himself only as Ricardo.
The group hosts parties and meetings at the clubhouse, according to Shane, adding that he’s previously seen dozens of motorcyclists leaving the area together.
“It shakes the whole block,” he said.
“They’re finally cleaning up the city,” he added, referring to the search.
The Outlaws Motorcycle Club has its clubhouse at the corner of Pleasant and Bogle streets, according to a police report filed in connection with the homicide of 39-year-old Eric Voshell.
At about noon, state police officials walked in and out of a white building at that intersection. The glass front door to the building had been shattered.
A witness, who also declined to be identified because he did not want to be associated with the incident, said he heard the glass shatter and saw law enforcement convene in the area.
He said the building has served as the Outlaws clubhouse for under one year.
“I bet the neighbors will be happy,” he said of the police search of the building.
A spokesman for District Attorney Thomas Quinn III would not confirm that the clubhouses were searched because the investigation into the homicide and the brawl is ongoing.
“Were still actively investigating the homicide outside JC’s Cafe and the related brawl,” said spokesman Gregg Miliote.
Joseph Noe, 25, whose last known address is in Taunton, has been charged with murder in connection with the death of Voshell. At his arraignment in District Court Monday, Assistant District Attorney Michael Cahillane said Noe is a member of the Outlaws.
Cahillane alleged Noe fired his five-shot revolver during a “disagreement” among Outlaws and members of the competing Sidewinders Motorcycle Club in the parking lot beside JC’s Cafe Friday night. Voshell was shot in the head and pronounced dead the following day.
Two other gunshot victims, a 37-year-old Fall River man and a 23-year-old Bridgewater man, were taken to area hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The DA’s office said Sunday both men were in stable condition.
Not guilty pleas were entered on Noe’s behalf on one count of murder, two counts of assault and battery with a firearm and one count of discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building. Noe was ordered held without bail before trial.
Visiting hours for Voshell were scheduled to be held at Chapman, Cole, & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs on Thursday evening, according to his obituary.
Make Sure You are Subscribed to our Facebook page!
Source: Herald News