2 Mongols members charged in fatal attack on rival gang member in California bar

Two members of the Mongols Motorcycle Club were arrested and charged in connection with an assault and shooting that killed a rival gang member at an Ontario bar last month.

Clifford Michael Lavoy, 51, of Montclair was arrested Tuesday, April 15, on suspicion of assault resulting in serious injuring to aid racketeering, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Julian Pulido, 35, of Upland was already charged with murder in aid of racketeering in that case.

Lavoy and Pulido had met at Firewater Bar & Grill on West Holt Avenue the night of March 3, and Pulido wore a black sweater and hat with Mongols’ insignia, prosecutors said in a news release.

The victim entered the bar around 12:30 a.m. March 4, wearing a black sweatshirt and gold chain that declared his membership in the Vagos, a rival gang, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

Pulido and Lavoy stared at the victim before Lavoy told the victim that he should greet and show respect to his rival gang members when he enters a bar. Pulido also told the victim that he needed to show respect to other gang members and expressed that he respected the victim as his elder, according to court documents.

The three men continued arguing over the topic when the victim called either Pulido or Lavoy “a little bitch.” Later, the victim apologized and bought the men a round of drinks, according to court documents.

Pulido then asked the bartender for another round of drinks on the victim’s tab, but the bartender declined. At that point, Lavoy went to the bathroom and directed at least one person to stay where they were, the statement said.

When Lavoy returned to Pulido and the victim, he said “go,” and Pulido punched the victim in the face, court documents state. The men reportedly continued attacking the victim, and Lavoy allegedly put him in a chokehold and caused blood to rush to his face.

The victim eventually freed himself from the chokehold and ran toward the exit, but Pulido chased him, pulled a black gun and fired multiple shots at the victim, according to the court records. After the shooting, the victim collapsed on the sidewalk, and Pulido, Lavoy and Lavoy’s “female companion” allegedly ran from the scene.

An autopsy report states the victim had been shot multiple times in the back, and pathologists retrieved four projectiles from his body.

The victim also had a large, deep bruise on his neck, consistent with choking, as well as contusions to his lips, a cut on his left ear, an abrasion on the left side of his nose and an abrasion on the left side of his chin, according to the autopsy report. Officials also found a wound behind his left ear surrounded by bruising, consistent with being struck, potentially with a blunt object.

When police arrested Pulido, they reported finding a bloody metal ring with a Mongols motto.

Prosecutors say after he fled the scene, Pulido led law enforcement on a nine-hour chase across five counties in California.

“He was arrested after crashing a black Dodge vehicle into a ditch during a high-speed chase along Highway 46 near Lost Hills in Kern County,” the release states.

Lavoy made his initial court appearance on Tuesday. He was ordered to be jailed without bond, and his arraignment is scheduled for May 6 in federal court.

Pulido is in state custody and is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in the next few weeks.