Biker slain at funeral for Hells Angels' leader in San Jose

A Hells Angels member, Steve Tausan, was fatally shot on Saturday at Oak Hill Cemetery in San Jose during the funeral of Jeffrey "Jethro" Pettigrew, president of the Hells Angels' San Jose chapter. Tausan, a 52-year-old bail bondsman, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital later that day.

Police confirmed they were interviewing witnesses but had no suspects or arrests. The shooting occurred despite a significant police presence as thousands gathered for Pettigrew's funeral, who was himself killed in a September 23 shooting at a Nevada casino by a member of rival motorcycle club Vagos—an incident that prompted cancellation of a regional motorcycle rally.

Witness Valerie Hoffman expressed shock at the funeral shooting, citing an unspoken "code of ethics" prohibiting such acts. Investigators noted the crime scene "appeared to have been tampered with," though details were not disclosed.

According to reports, Tausan had previously been acquitted of a 1997 murder charge stemming from a beating death at a strip club, after a jury accepted his self-defense claim.