Prosecutor: Deadly shooting in Portland part of a brawl between rival motorcycle clubs

PORTLAND (WGME) — New details have emerged about the Portland shooting that left a woman dead on Forest Avenue earlier this summer.

The public prosecutor now claims that the incident occurred during a fight between rival motorcycle clubs.

This was announced on Friday during a bail hearing for suspected shooter Aaron Karp, who faces a murder charge.

Police say they used a dashcam video and two surveillance videos to identify the suspected gunman who shot Susan McHugh.

It all started at the Brookside Bar in Westbrook, as seen in a video presented in court on Friday.

According to witnesses, there are rules in the bar that prohibit the wearing of biker jackets and vests in the club's colors.

According to witnesses, members of the FSU biker club were again angry with the Higher Calling Club for wearing their colors and struck, taking one of the Higher Calling vests.

According to police, members of Higher Calling called members of a third club, The Outlaws, who showed up at the Brookside Bar and later confronted some members of the FSU club on Forest Avenue.

Officials said seven to nine men wearing Outlaws colors and carrying weapons, including a baseball bat and a small sledgehammer, crossed Forest Avenue and attacked three members of the opposing club.

Then, police said, Susan McHugh fired a shot to defend her husband and the others, whereupon all the outlaws turned and ran away until, according to police, defendant Karp fired nine shots at Susan McHugh, one of which hit her in the chest.

Police say someone else picked up McHugh's gun and returned fire.

Police said no eyewitness was able to identify the shooter, but police were able to use dashcams and surveillance video to identify Karp based on his clothing, watch and gait.

Prosecutors asked that Karp be held in custody without bail, fearing witnesses might be in danger.

Both lawyers also argued that self-defense must be considered in this case.

“They didn't have to go to the Meineke property,” said prosecutor Jen Ackerman. “None of this would have happened. Ms. McHugh would be alive today if they hadn't gone to the Meineke property. But they went to confront Mr. McHugh, Mr. Holmes and Mr. Freschette. And they brought weapons. And he brought a gun. And that's what we see on the video.”

“To be clear, the Outlaws did not start this incident,” said defense attorney Verne Parody. “Mr. Holmes and his FSU gang went out and literally robbed, robbed and assaulted people who happened to be friends with the Outlaws. They started it. So, when [prosecutors] say we provoked it or the outlaws provoked it, that's simply not true.”

Defense affidavits say Karp was not at the scene of the alleged crime, but prosecutors say his cellphone shows he was in the area.

In this case, the prosecution and defense will submit written arguments regarding the probable cause of action.

Judge John O'Neal will read those written arguments before deciding on bail.

The defendant is currently being held without bail.