Pagans Member Charged in Wawa Shootout Seeks Reduced Bail

George Hripto Jr. argues $500,000 cash bail is 'effectively unattainable' and causing 'severe emotional and financial distress'.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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A member of the Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang, George Hripto Jr., is seeking to have his $500,000 cash bail reduced as he awaits trial on charges related to a shootout with a rival biker gang at a Wawa in West Norriton, Pennsylvania. Hripto's lawyer argues the high bail amount is 'effectively unattainable' and has caused 'severe emotional and financial distress' for Hripto and his family.

Why it matters

The shooting at the Wawa involved nine Pagans members and two members of the rival Unknown Bikers Motorcycle Gang, resulting in six people being wounded, including two innocent bystanders. The incident has raised concerns about the escalating violence between rival biker gangs and the potential risks to public safety in the community.

The details

Prosecutors allege the Pagans members surrounded and assaulted the two Unknown Bikers members, leading to an exchange of gunfire in the Wawa parking lot. The Pagans members are being charged under accomplice liability theories, even though most of the fired cartridge casings were linked to the Unknown Bikers. Defense lawyers argue the charges should be dismissed and that the Unknown Bikers were responsible for the shooting.

  • The incident occurred around 9:12 p.m. on October 17, 2025.
  • Hripto was arrested in October 2025 along with eight other Pagans members.
  • Hripto's bail reduction hearing is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
  • The trial for all nine Pagans members is set to begin on May 18, 2026 and is expected to last four weeks.

The players

George Hripto Jr.

A 50-year-old member of the Pagans Outlaw Motorcycle Gang who is currently incarcerated on $500,000 cash bail and is seeking to have it reduced.

John D'Intino Jr.

The defense lawyer representing George Hripto Jr. in his bail reduction petition.

Steven T. O'Neill

The county judge who previously denied bail reduction requests for multiple Pagans members, citing the serious nature of the charges.

Bradley Walter Deckel

An assistant district attorney prosecuting the case against the Pagans members.

Libby Hemler

A co-prosecutor working with Bradley Walter Deckel on the case against the Pagans members.

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What they’re saying

“This has caused severe emotional and financial distress and results in a de facto detention based solely on indigency, raising serious due process and equal protection concerns. If (Hripto) had the financial means to post bail, he would already be released.”

— John D'Intino Jr., Defense Lawyer

“The level of violence is nothing less than scary.”

— Steven T. O'Neill, County Judge

“The evidence in this matter is exceptionally weak.”

— John D'Intino Jr., Defense Lawyer

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on March 3 whether or not to grant George Hripto Jr.'s request to reduce his $500,000 cash bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and violence between rival biker gangs in the region, and raises questions about bail reform, public safety, and the prosecution's reliance on accomplice liability theories when the evidence appears to point more strongly to the actions of the rival gang members.