9 Charged After Shootout At Montco Wawa Injures Bystanders: DA

WEST NORRITON, PA — Nine motorcycle gang members have been arrested and charged in connection to the shootout at the Wawa in West Norriton earlier this month, the Montgomery County District Attorney's office announced Friday.

The incident resulted in six people being shot, including two innocent bystanders, police said.

Two members of the Unknown Bikers Outlaw Motorcycle Gang arrived at the Wawa on Main Street at about 9:08 p.m. on Oct. 17, according to the DA.

See previous coverage: 6 Injured In Motorcycle Gang Shootout In West Norriton

The pair were at adjacent gas pumps filling their motorcycles when, two minutes later, nine members of the Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang arrived from off of Ridge Pike, police said.

The Pagans surrounded the two, and moved to block off any escape, police said. A physical altercation began, with the Pagans attempting to remove the "cut" or the gang colors of the Unknown Bikers Outlaws, police said.

Video surveillance showed Pagan members then "moving tactically" around the area and taking a "shooting platform stance," according to the DA.

Gunfire erupted moments later, and the Pagans fled the scene on Main Street toward Norristown.

One bystander, an adult man, was shot in the face while putting air in his vehicle's tire, while an adult woman, who was standing by the doors to the Wawa, was shot in the torso, police said.

One member of the Unknown Bikers was hit in the left forearm, while three of the Pagans were also hit.

During the shooting, customers hid in the back of the Wawa while the manager locked down the store and called 911.

The Pagans were pulled over by police in nearby Norristown.

The nine suspects were charged with 12 felony counts of aggravated assault, two counts of riot, 14 counts of simple assault, and 46 counts of reckless endangerment.

Eight of the nine defendants were unable to make $500,000 cash bail, while one, who was injured in the shooting, had lower bail due to ongoing medical treatment.

The charged individuals include Bridgeport residents George Cwienk III, 51, Joel Hernandez-Martinez, 36, George Hripto Jr., 50, and Jason Lawless, 45. Norristown's Manuel Baez-Santos, 34, and King of Prussia's Erik Dixon, 33, were also arrested, in addition to Luke Higgins, 29, of Dauberville, Justin Noll, 34, of Reading, and Erik Rosenberger, 46, of East Greenville.

A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 10.