Motorcycle club mistaken for Mongols in Pico Rivera triple homicide?

PICO RIVERA - Pico Rivera gang members may have targeted the Mongols Motorcycle Club when they shot and killed three people and wounded seven others at a pizza parlor in June.

Officials acknowledged Thursday that a dispute exists between gangsters affiliated with the Mexican Mafia and the Mongols.

"There is an ongoing feud between the Pico Rivera street gangs and the Mongols," said sheriff's homicide Sgt. Martin Rodriguez.

Members and associates of the outlaw motorcycle gang attended a fundraiser hosted by Old School Riders at Falcone's Pizza on June 27, Rodriguez said. The fundraiser came to an abrupt end when two men entered the parking lot and began shooting. As many as 50 people were in attendance.

"There's people involved in the investigation who had some reported ties to the Mongols motorcycle gangs," Rodriguez said. "But the vast majority of people there had no association."

Earlier this week, three men with Pico Rivera gang ties were arrested in connection with the slayings. When the District Attorney's Office declined to file charges, two were released. The third man remains in custody on unrelated charges, district attorney's spokeswoman Jane Robison said.