Hells Angels Leader Slain; Fear Grips SF Neighborhood

by **J The Kidd** Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:58 pm

SAN FRANCISCO -- Police and residents in San Francisco's Outer Mission
neighborhood were on edge after SFPD investigators identified a man
killed in the area as the president of the San Francisco branch of the
Hells Angels motorcycle club.
The victim, 46-year-old Mark Guardado, was shot at about 10:30 p.m.
outside a bar at 24th Street and Treat Avenue in the city's Mission
District, police said.

Authorities said Guardado was recently in Sonoma County court, facing
felony charges in connection to an altercation in Petaluma last
February.

Police were investigating reports that Guardado was shot by a member of
The Mongols, a rival motorcycle club. The Mongols are based in Southern
California, but there are local chapters in Modesto and San Jose,
authorities said.

The Mongols and the Hells Angels clashed six years ago at Harrah's
Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. The incident left three people dead.

In response to Tuesday night's fatal shooting, there's been a heavy
police presence as officers blanket the area. Police say they will
continue to patrol the area in an effort to reassure residents they
will remain safe despite worries of a possible war between the two
motorcycle clubs.

"We are going to try and maintain a continued effort in this area with
multiple means, uniformed officers, plain-clothed officers, specialized
units that we have out here tonight," San Francisco Capt. Steve
Tacchini told KTVU. "We are going to try and keep as much police
presence in the neighborhood as possible."

Residents of the Mission District tell KTVU they will remain on edge until the case is solved.

"I'm afraid some young children will accidentally get shot in the
crossfire," said local resident Rita Alviar, who works with the Mission
Education Project. "I'm praying that this stops in our community."