PORTLAND (AP) – Portland police fear that a shooting this week at a tattoo parlor may have been the prelude to a turf war among motorcycle gangs and are planning a crackdown in hopes of preventing further violence.

Police Chief Michael Chitwood said he is boosting patrols in anticipation of a retaliatory attack following the shooting Tuesday of Dennis Towne, 58, of Denmark at the Portland Tattoo Shop. The bullet grazed Towne’s groin before passing through his leg.

At Chitwood’s request, Portland officials on Thursday cancelled a June 16 concert at the Portland Expo by country music performer David Allan Coe because of security concerns.

Chitwood told officials that Coe, who is known as an outlaw musician, is a big draw for motorcycle gang members. Holding a concert that would attract large numbers of bikers in one location would serve as a magnet for violence between rival motorcycle gangs, he said.

Police believe the shooting was a premeditated attack by members of the Outlaws motorcycle gang on a group believed to be allied with Hell’s Angels.

“We’re not going to let them come in and shoot up our city,” Chitwood told reporters Wednesday. “It endangers an entire community.”

The last time motorcycle gang rivalries flared, Portland police responded with a major increase in downtown patrols. For the most part, the conflict passed.

Chitwood said Tuesday’s early afternoon attack appears to signal that the Outlaws are trying to expand their dominance into Maine.

A group of motorcyclists wearing Outlaws insignia on their clothing confronted three men wearing insignia of the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club, according to police. There was an argument, followed by a fistfight and then a gunshot. Chitwood said there is no indication that the victim knew his attackers.

“Our best guess is there will be retaliation for this shooting,” Chitwood said.

“When retaliation occurs, you can bet it’s going to be the Hell’s Angels.”

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com

AP-ES-04-21-05 1956EDT