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No Motorcycle Expo in 2017: Ntl. Western Complex

Posted at 5:45 PM, May 26, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-26 23:47:27-04

The 2017 Colorado Motorcycle Expo at the National Western Complex has been canceled following a deadly brawl between rival motorcycle gangs back in January.

“After months of research and discussions with various agencies, it is in the best interest of public safety to move in a different direction and not have the expo in our facilities in 2017," said Paul Andrews, President and CEO of the National Western Complex.

The shooting, which resulted in the death of one biker and left seven others injured at the expo, started over claims to a stairwell, according to the Denver police investigation.

PHOTOS: High tension following multiple shooting, stabbing at Colorado Motorcycle Expo

"Detectives learned there was a verbal altercation between the Iron Order motorcycle club and the Mongols motorcycle club over the Mongols laying claim to a stairwell just south of their booth," the report obtained by Denver7 shows. "At some point the verbal altercation turned physical."

The report also states, "during the physical altercation, a member from the Iron Order club fired one time and struck a member from the Mongols."

Police said the altercation continued up the stairs where there was a second shooting.

In that case, police believe a man, possibly from the Mongols, fired one time striking two members from the Iron Order.

Police said one of those victims, Derrick Duran, fired back hitting Mongols motorcycle club member Victor Mendoza.

Mendoza died.

After an investigation by Denver police and the Denver District Attorney's Office, the DA's office decided not to charge Duran.

“Any future consideration of a motorcycle expo at the complex will be evaluated and discussed by leadership and various agencies prior to making a decision,” said Andrews.  

RELATED: Biker club lawyers tell different stories regarding deadly shooting

The shooting and brawl happened in the middle of the afternoon on Jan. 30 where 10,000 people, including children, were in attendance.

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