Police say Michael Richard Kich, age 42, of Reno, Nev., was arrested by police for assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly discharging a firearm during a confrontation Sunday at the Chevron gas station on San Felipe Road near the Highway 25 bypass. Kich, a member of the “Boozefighters” motorcycle club, later bailed out of the San Benito County Jail.
On Sunday, July 6 at about 10:30 a.m., Hollister Police officers received a report of a shooting at 631 San Felipe Road. Three individuals were shot during a confrontation and were transported to Bay Area hospitals and are now listed in stable condition. All of the injured parties are members of the “Boozefighters” motorcycle club from the state of Nevada.
The initial investigation and witness statements revealed the confrontation was with rival motorcycle club, “Wino’s Crew.” There are no local chapters of Wino’s Crew in the Hollister area.
Several of those involved, witnesses and victims, are not cooperating with police in this investigation. The cause of this incident is still under investigation. However, Hollister Police report that the Wino’s Crew website hints at a feud since 1996 between the “Boozefighters” and the “Wino’s Crew”.
The shooting is also related to a fight on July 5 inside the rally event involving the same two rival groups. In that incident, Kelly Eugene Rivas, 51, of Grass Valley, Calif., was arrested by rally officers for possession of a concealed weapon. Rivas is a member of the “Wino’s Crew” from the Grass Valley Chapter.
If anyone has information related to this investigation, they are asked to contact Gang Officer Matt Weiss at the Hollister Police Department at 831-636-4330, ext. 132. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.