Smoke bomb thrown at Connecticut motorcycle shop after alleged biker club assault, police say
By Bruno Matarazzo Jr.,Staff Writer New Haven Register July 20, 2026
https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/griswold-motorcycle-shop-owner-diablos-assault-22352467.php
GRISWOLD — The owner of a motorcycle shop who was assaulted by a group of alleged members of the Diablos Motorcycle Club at a bike event at Cadillac Ranch last week had a smoke bomb thrown at his business late Friday.
State police said the incident at the Plainfield Road business remains active and would not release any additional details.
There was no visible damage to Bully Baggerz and Son, and workers at the business declined to comment Monday.
The 44-year-old owner of the shop, who was injured July 15 in a beatdown in the Southington restaurant parking lot, told police he had his Glock taken from him during the attack, according to his statements to police.
During the struggle, the gun discharged and another member of the Diablos was struck, according to police reports.
The victim told police the fight began when he spotted Chris Sneider, a former customer who was not happy with the work done on his Harley-Davidson seven years ago and wanted a refund, according to the police report.
The victim went to Bike Night at Cadillac Ranch with his father to pick up parts from another customer but started to leave after spotting Sneider, he told police. Sneider ultimately saw him and demanded his refund.
A crowd of men started beating on the victim, some with a weapon that “felt like a hammer” as they tried to rip off his clothes and jewelry and the gun, according to the report.
Police recovered a gun from the scene, police Lt. Matthew Hammell said.
After the second victim, a 25-year-old man who was wearing a Diablos motorcycle club vest, was shot, others suspected, possibly mistakenly, the 44-year-old as the culprit.
It’s unclear from the police report who fired the gun during the struggle.
Four men have been charged with assault, including James McDermott, 52, of Waterbury; Gerard McAfee, 54, of Branford; Philip Gugliotti, 55, of Waterbury; and Harley Woodbury, 31, of the Terryville section of Plymouth.
Southington police said all four were identified in a video of the assault and all four were wearing Diablos motorcycle club vests. Each was charged with felony assault charges.
Four more were charged with interfering with police because they refused to identify themselves, police said.
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