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File photo Steve White/AP/Press Association Images

Two killed in biker gang war started over Starbucks

Security is tight for the funeral of one biker tomorrow, after a conflict that began over who had access to the coffee shop.

AT LEAST TWO men have been killed and a number wounded in a turf war between two California biker gangs that began over who got to hang out at Starbucks.

The San Jose Hells Angels has clashed with the rival Vagos gang in a series of violent incidents in the state. In the latest, senior Hells Angel Steven Tausan, 52, was shot and killed by a fellow member in an apparent quarrel, the Telegraph reports.

That shooting occurred at the funeral of the chapter’s captain Jeffrey Pettigrew, 51, who was killed at a casino last month.  Security is tight for Tausan’s funeral tomorrow, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The row began in January 2010 when Hells Angels and Vagos members fought with hammers outside a Starbucks in Santa Cruz. Local deputy police chief Steve Clark told Reuters: “It was all about who would be allowed to hang out at the Starbucks downtown,” adding that the Vagos had made an attempt to gain control of the area.

“Only in Santa Cruz would you have biker wars over who’s going to control pumpkin spice lattes,” Clark added.

The conflict escalated in August last year, when the two gangs exchanged gunfire near a house in Prescott, Arizona, where CBS reports the Hells Angels were having a party. At least five people were wounded and 27 arrested after the incident.

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15 Comments
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    Mute Boris Blank
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    Dec 19th 2023, 1:11 PM

    Pity, I was really looking forward to building a snowperson

    104
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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Dec 19th 2023, 2:05 PM

    @Boris Blank: maybe it doesn’t to be identified as a “snow person”

    51
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    Mute Ceann Cac
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    Dec 19th 2023, 3:40 PM

    @Boris Blank: Same, although it disgusts me that all snow persons are white. The lack of diversity even in 2023 is awful

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    Mute Boris Blank
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    Dec 19th 2023, 4:01 PM

    @Ceann Cac: excellent point!

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    Mute Boris Blank
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    Dec 19th 2023, 4:01 PM

    @Dave Barrett: true, Dave

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    Mute casio shock
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    Dec 19th 2023, 4:44 PM

    @Boris Blank: its only a snowwoman if there’s snowballs

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    Mute Boris Blank
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    Dec 19th 2023, 8:49 PM

    @casio shock: lol

    4
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    Mute Pete Murray
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    Dec 20th 2023, 12:05 AM

    @Ceann Cac: it’s ok to be white and proud :)

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    Mute P. V. Aglue
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    Dec 20th 2023, 12:58 AM

    @Ceann Cac: privileged White snow person

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    Mute honey badger
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    Dec 19th 2023, 12:28 PM

    We’re lucky so. The UK met are warning of serious snowfall across the water over Christmas.

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    Mute downburst1
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    Dec 19th 2023, 4:47 PM

    @honey badger: The UK Met are not warning of serious snowfall in the UK at all over Christmas. I suspect you are a tabloid reader?

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    Mute brendan C5
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    Dec 19th 2023, 12:51 PM

    So if it doesn’t snow on a certain date at a certain time it’s because of climate change, I know met eireann didn’t say that nonsense. Idi ot journalists.

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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Dec 19th 2023, 1:31 PM

    @brendan C5: Do you understand the concept of trends?

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    Mute Oh Mammy
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    Dec 19th 2023, 2:39 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: I do indeed. Like violence, specifically in Dublin, is trending higher.

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    Mute Ann Nugent
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    Dec 19th 2023, 1:16 PM

    Last week it said white Christmas this week it says no white Christmas. ???

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    Mute KTH
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    Dec 19th 2023, 1:26 PM

    @Ann Nugent:
    I know they change their mind like the weather.

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Dec 19th 2023, 2:24 PM

    @Ann Nugent: Eh…… no they didn’t.

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Dec 19th 2023, 2:30 PM

    Blame it on Dickens! Between 1815 abd 1825 there were about 6 ‘Whute Christmases’ in London. Dickens reflected his childhood experiences in his novels, and literally ‘invented’ the so-called ‘traditional’ Christmas beloved by many. Turkey, Pudding, Snow, Carols, all featured strongly and still do. Though white Christmases are an actual rarity the scenes on Chrustmas cards would have you believe otherwise! All thanks to Dickens.

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    Mute Denis Rathsallagh Brady
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    Dec 19th 2023, 3:10 PM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: Theres me thinking it was Coca-Cola, but thats the Santa Claus connection thingymajig whatchamacallit

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    Mute Argus Romsworth
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    Dec 19th 2023, 1:07 PM

    That’s a shame. Hopefully we get a bit in the new year.

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    Mute Shane O Mac
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    Dec 19th 2023, 6:24 PM

    Heavy snow = no visiting inlaws

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    Mute Kieran Stafford
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    Dec 19th 2023, 11:31 PM

    @Shane O Mac: sounds good

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    Mute Gerard Hayden
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    Dec 19th 2023, 3:16 PM

    Way back in ’74 Greg Lake was using the lack of snow at Christmas for one of the reasons he no longer believed…

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Dec 19th 2023, 4:18 PM

    @Gerard Hayden: Possibly one of my favourite ‘Christmas’ songs, even if it is about rejecting Christmas.

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    Mute Pato
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    Dec 19th 2023, 1:34 PM

    There no longer is a white so it will be a no, a yellow or a red Christmas.

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    Mute Joe Meade
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    Dec 19th 2023, 4:21 PM

    @Pato:
    Cheer up Cracker….you and the scooter looters can always cheer yourselves up with some supremely white ‘Aryan’ chavwear, some fire accelerant cara matches and the piece de résistance, some>50% ‘pure’ rat poison infused gak/crack for that proper 12 /10 skanger’s shite Crim-bo!! Keep her/him/it lit….while yee can yet! ;@}

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    Mute Shane O Mac
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    Dec 19th 2023, 6:22 PM

    Must be that ol climate change again

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    Mute jiminybillybob
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    Dec 19th 2023, 9:06 PM

    Shocker there.

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