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Outlaw riders mourn slain `little
brother'
By Police Reporter SAM RICHES
31may04
TWO men charged with murder over the
shooting of an outlaw motorcycle gang member outside a Yorke
Peninsula hotel will appear in court today.
The men, both 26, one from Kadina and the other from Moonta, will
appear in Elizabeth's Magistrates Court.
Police allege shots were fired from a moving car as it passed a group of about 30 Gypsy Jokers members, who were in Wallaroo on a club run, about 3.15am yesterday.
The 31-year-old victim, of Mt Gambier, was shot twice in the chest as he crossed a road in front of the Weeroona Hotel.
Gypsy Jokers members last night paid tribute to the man, known as "Fly".
Gypsy Jokers spokesman Steve Williams said Fly had been a member of the Mt Gambier chapter for three years and was survived by his partner and young child.
"He's just started to be a dad," Mr Williams said. "He was so small – he weighed little more than his socks and jeans.
"I don't think he could hit anyone, he couldn't even break a nose.
"The club has lost a little brother," he said.
"Somebody lost their life and it's a heartfelt loss."
The Advertiser understands the shooting followed an altercation at the Weeroona Hotel.
The hotel was reportedly closed at 11pm as a "precaution" after a fight broke out inside between locals and Gypsy Joker members.
"It wasn't like they got the s. .t beat out of them," a Gypsy Joker member, who wished to remain unidentified, said.
"They walked out, drove their car home, come back and shot him – the smallest guy in the club."
Inspector Gerry Feltus, of the Major Crime Investigation Section, said the incident was not part of inter-gang rivalry.
Police said two men drove past the hotel in a white Holden Commodore, firing shots into the group of Gypsy Joker members, who were staying overnight at a park opposite.
"It appears as though he was in the middle of the street and the persons drove past and shot him," Insp. Feltus said.
He would not disclose what calibre weapon was used or how many shots were fired.
Two men were arrested yesterday morning by STAR Group officers at separate houses in Kadina, about 10km away, and charged with murder.
