8 Slayings Linked to Biker Gang

Police arrested five people on murder charges Monday in one of Canada’s worst mass killings and said the deaths of eight men found on an isolated farm were part of “an internal cleansing” of a motorcycle gang.

Police said they made the arrests at a modest, two-story farmhouse about six miles from where the eight men were found shot to death in four vehicles scattered in a wooded field in Shedden, about 90 miles northeast of Detroit.

Police said investigators did not believe a biker-gang war was imminent.

“This is an isolated incident with ties to the Bandidos,” said Det. Ross Bingley of the Ontario Provincial Police, describing the killings as “an internal cleansing.”

Police said Bandidos member Wayne Kellestine, 56, would be charged with eight counts of first-degree murder.

Also arrested and charged with eight counts of murder were Eric Niessen, 45; Kerry Morris, 56; Frank Mather, 32; and Brett Gardiner, 21. The four are not members of the Bandidos.

Four suspects were either from Monkton or the Dutton-Dunwich area, a small farming community in southwestern Ontario between London and the U.S. border. Police said Gardiner had no fixed address.

Murray and Brenda Silcox, owners of Palmer’s general goods at the only intersection in Shedden -- a farming community of 300 that celebrates an annual rhubarb festival -- said residents were stunned.

“It’s like somebody else’s world dropped on ours,” Brenda Silcox said.

Seven of the victims -- all of whom were either full or associate members of the gang -- were listed as George Jesso, 52; George Kriarakis, 28; John Muscedere, 48; Luis Manny Raposo, 41; Francesco Salerajno, 43; Paul Sinopoli, 30; and Michael Trotta, 31. Victim Jamie Flanz, 37, was named as a “prospective” member.

All were from Ontario.