One Percenter Bikers

Shedden Massacre

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The Shedden Massacre, sometimes also referred to as the Bandido Massacre, was the killing of 8 men associated with the Bandidos Motorcycle Club just outside the town of Shedden, Ontario, Canada in April, 2006. Some of the men charged with the murders were also members of the Bandidos.

Shedden Massacre Shedden Ontario Canada Bandidos MC

Shedden Massacre – The Town of Shedden

Shedden is a small town located in Elgin County, which is in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.

The bodies were found on a 40-hectare property a couple of miles from the town centre. The property was owned by Russ and Mary Steele, who by all accounts had no affiliation with any motorcycle club.

The main street in Shedden

Shedden Massacre – Backstory

Those killed were related to the Bandidos Toronto chapter referred to as the “No Surrender Crew”, many of whom had patched over from the Loners MC. The Bandidos did not have a strong showing in Canada with a Toronto chapter and a prospect chapter in Winnipeg. This particular crew did not have strong ties with the leadership of Bandidos Nation.

The Hells Angels had the dominant presence in Ontario at the time of the killings. This fact would then drive some of the motive rumours that followed the event.

Shedden Massacre – Timeline

7 April, 2006 – An evening Bandidos Motorcycle Club meeting is held at the farmhouse of Bandidos member Wayne Kellestine, located in the town of Dutton/Dunwich in Elgin County, Ontario. According to trial testimony, seven of the eight victims were held captive for several hours being being taken outside, at which point all eight were executed.

8 April, 2006 – Close to dawn the bodies of the victims are placed in cars and driven 10 miles to the town of Shedden where the cars are dumped in a field.

8 April, 2006 – Russ and Mary Steele find multiple vehicles parked on the grounds of their property and call the Ontario Provincial Police to investigate. The police arrive and discover 8 bodies inside the vehicles.

10 April, 2006 – A first round of arrests are made. Wayne Kellestine, Brett Gardiner, Frank Mather, Eric Niessen and Kerry Morris are each charged with 8 counts of first degree murder.

5 May, 2006 – Charges against Eric Niessen and Kerry Morris are reduced to being accessories after the fact.

16 June, 2006 – Michael Sandham, Dwight Mushey and Marcella Aravena are arrested and charged.

9 January, 2007 – A preliminary hearing begins. The hearing runs until 21 June, 2007.

31 March, 2009 – The murder trial begins.

29 October, 2009 – The jury returns their verdict.

Shedden Massacre – Victims

Shedden Massacre – Accused

Charged with 8 counts of first degree murder:

Also charged with 8 counts of first degree murder, but later reduced to being accessories after the fact:

Shedden Massacre – Motives

The following are some of the motives which were suggested at the time (most of which will obviously be completely untrue):

Shedden Massacre – Investigation, Trial and Verdict

Jeff Pike, the Bandidos International President, was questioned by Canadian law enforcement about the murders as they suspected that the killings may have been ordered by the leadership of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, however he was never charged with any offences. At the time of the shooting Jeff Pike had only been the Bandidos El Presidente for around a year, after the previous President, George Wegers went to prison on federal racketeering charges in 2005. George Wegers, who was still in prison at the time of the Bandido massacre, was known for not wanting to rapidly expand the Bandidos into new territory.

A preliminary hearing began on 9 January, 2009 in London, Ontario and did not conclude until 21 June, 2009. It was determined that all charges would proceed.

The murder trial began on 31 March, 2009 in London, Ontario, with all men pleading not guilty.

A Bandido witness who was only identified as “M.H”, provided detailed information at the trial about the night of the killings. In return for the testimony they were granted immunity as well as entry into the witness protection program.

The jury returned their verdict on 29 October, 2009.

All were sentenced to life in prison with no parole for at least 25 years.

Shedden Massacre – Books

There have been a few Shedden Massacre books written, most of which were released around the time that the murder trial ended in late 2009.

Book – The Bandido Massacre by Peter Edwards.

A highly in depth review of the events surrounding the Bandidos massacre. Find out more on Amazon (link opens in a new tab).

Shedden Massacre book – The Bandido Massacre Peter Edwards

Book – The Fat Mexican by Alex Caine.

This book covers some of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club history, their rise to becoming one of the powerhouse outlaw motorcycle clubs and also has a strong focus on the Bandidos massacre. Find out more on Amazon (link opens in a new tab).

Shedden Massacre Book – The Fat Mexican Alex Caine

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