A fatal shooting in Port St. Lucie, Florida, has resulted in the death of a motorcyclist and the arrest of three suspects. The incident, which police say involved rival biker clubs, occurred early Sunday morning.
The victim has been identified as 53-year-old Dan Sanders of Port St. Lucie. According to police reports, the shooting took place around 1 a.m. at the intersection of Southwest California Boulevard and Southwest Greenan Lane. Sanders sustained a fatal gunshot wound to his abdomen and was pronounced dead at HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital after being airlifted for emergency care. Investigators recovered six shell casings from the scene.
Authorities indicate that approximately an hour prior to the shooting, Sanders was involved in an altercation at The Office Sports Pub on U.S. Highway 1. Assistant Police Chief Leo Niemczyk stated that three suspects, who were at City Limits Sports Bar on Southwest Gatlin Boulevard, were allegedly summoned to The Office Sports Pub by an associate. Following a brief 15-minute period at The Office Sports Pub, these suspects reportedly pursued Sanders in a blue Nissan Sentra at speeds reaching 100 mph.
Suspects Arrested and Charged
Police have identified and arrested three individuals in connection with the fatal shooting:
- Victor Omar Alvarez, 23, of Port St. Lucie: Charged with first-degree murder. Alvarez is accused of firing the fatal shot from the passenger seat of the Nissan Sentra at Sanders while he was riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Southwest California Boulevard.
- Kyle James Driscoll, 25, of Jensen Beach: Also charged with first-degree murder. Driscoll is alleged to have been the driver of the Nissan Sentra that pursued Sanders.
- Nevaeh Rae Gonsalves, 21, of Port St. Lucie: Faces a charge of accessory after the fact – life felony. Police investigations suggest Gonsalves was in the backseat of the Nissan, provided misleading information to detectives, and attempted to forge a bar receipt to create a false alibi.
The suspects and their vehicle were apprehended at a residence in the 2200 block of Southeast Glover Street a few hours after the incident.
Rival Biker Club Involvement
According to police, Sanders was identified as a member of the Rough Riders Motorcycle Club and associated with the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club. Alvarez and Driscoll are believed to be associated with the Outlaws Motorcycle Club.
“For many years, Florida has predominantly been Outlaws Motorcycle Club territory, and it has generally been peaceful,” Niemczyk explained. “However, we’ve recently observed an increase in Pagan’s presence in the area, attempting to claim criminal territory, leading to several confrontations between the two groups.”
Surveillance footage from both sports bars and the shooting scene was instrumental in identifying the suspects and their vehicle. The motive behind the initial altercation remains under investigation.
When questioned about the rarity of such crimes, Niemczyk stated, “not like this, not here,” highlighting the unusual nature of this violent biker-related incident in Port St. Lucie. All three suspects are currently held at the St. Lucie County jail without bond.
This incident follows a previous fatal shooting involving rival biker clubs outside Harpers Pub in Port St. Lucie last year, which resulted in the death of a 39-year-old local man, indicating a concerning trend in the area.
Community Reaction
Toni Ann Meyers, a neighbor of suspect Victor Alvarez, expressed shock at his arrest. “If you had asked me, I would have said, ‘no, he’s a good kid,'” Meyers commented, describing him as quiet and respectful in their interactions. This sentiment underscores the unexpected nature of the allegations against Alvarez within his local community.
