Members of rival motorcycle gangs clashed with guns and knives in a casino before dawn today, leaving three dead and 12 hospitalized amid a gathering of tens of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts in a Nevada gambling town, authorities said.
Three people were shot fatally in violence that flared at about 2:15 a.m. (local time) inside the Harrah's casino in Laughlin, near the Arizona border about 100 miles (160 km) from the gambling mecca of Las Vegas, according to Sgt. Chris Darcy, a police spokesman. Authorities said earlier that four died.
Some of the wounded were transported by helicopter and ambulance to hospitals in Arizona and Las Vegas, where they were being treated for gunshots and stab wounds.
"The shootout in the casino came during the 20th annual River Run, which attracts large numbers of motorcyclists. It is one of the nation's biggest motorcycle events. This year's River Run drew 50,000 to 70,000 motorcyclists," said Mr Larry Tunforss, spokesman for the Bullhead City, Arizona, Fire Department.
Sgt. Darcy said in a statement that one suspect had been taken into custody and numerous others are being questioned as to their involvement. Sgt. Darcy added that "approximately 60 to 70 participants in this event are believed to be members of rival motorcycle associations."
Hospital officials in Las Vegas and Bullhead City said they were treating 11 patients with wounds from the casino violence. One other person was hospitalized at Western Arizona Regional Medical Center in Bullhead City with chest pain.
Mr Tunforss said the shooting appeared to be gang related, saying, Every year for this River Run, there's always threats of gang activity. "We have actually separated the shooters the best we can in the hospital because it is believed they are rival gangs," he said.
"Two of the wounded were identified as shooters," Mr Tunforss said. "They were hospitalized with critical wounds. One of the two alleged shooters suffered four gunshot wounds," he added.
Harrah's is the farthest south of a string of casinos in Laughlin that line the west bank of the Colorado River. Laughlin is a town of 8,000 that attracts 5 million visitors annually. Authorities from Bullhead City, located just across the river, were called in to assist Laughlin authorities.