A member of the Mongols motorcycle club has been charged with murder following a violent incident that escalated tensions between the Mongols and their rivals, the Vagos. Julian Pulido, 35, is accused of shooting Vicente Sandoval at the Firewater Bar in Ontario on March 4. A second suspect, Clifford Lavoy, allegedly choked Sandoval before the shooting.
Lavoy entered a not guilty plea to charges of assault related to racketeering and is currently being held without bail. Pulido remains in a San Bernardino County jail and has not yet entered a plea in federal court.
This incident is part of an ongoing conflict between the two motorcycle clubs, which has included previous violent encounters. Over the past three years, the feud has seen shootings and brawls, including a notable incident at a Hooters restaurant and another at a Harley-Davidson store in Marina del Rey.
According to court records, the Mongols have about 2,500 members worldwide, with chapters in various countries. They are known for engaging in criminal activities such as robbery and drug trafficking. The conflict with the Vagos reportedly intensified after a memorial event for a deceased Vagos member in December 2021, which ended in a violent altercation.
On the night of Sandoval’s murder, tensions flared at the Firewater Bar when Pulido and Lavoy confronted Sandoval over perceived disrespect. After a brief exchange, Pulido allegedly punched Sandoval and shot him four times in the back as he tried to escape.
Following the shooting, Pulido fled the scene and was pursued by police. He was eventually arrested after crashing his car while trying to evade capture.
This tragic event highlights the ongoing violence between rival motorcycle gangs in Southern California, raising concerns about public safety and the potential for further conflict.