May 17, 201510 yr Texas shootout among rival biker gangs leaves 9 deadBy NOMAAN MERCHANTWACO, Texas (AP) — A shootout among rival biker gangs at a popular Texas restaurant left nine people dead and 18 others injured, a police spokesman said on Sunday, sending panicked patrons and bystanders fleeing for safety.The violence erupted shortly after noon at a busy Waco marketplace along Interstate 35 that draws a large lunchtime crowd. Waco, Texas police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said eight people died at the scene of the shooting at Twin Peaks restaurant and another person at a hospital. He told the Waco Tribune-Herald that the nine killed were all members of biker gangs.Another 18 people were taken to hospitals with injuries that include stab and gunshot wounds. Some victims are being treated for both, he said."There are still bodies on the scene of the parking lot at Twin Peaks," he said. "There are bodies that are scattered throughout the parking lot of the next adjoining business."A photo from the scene showed dozens of motorcycles parked in a lot. Among the bikes, at least three people wearing what appeared to be biker jackets were on the ground, two on their backs and one face down. Police were standing a few feet away in a group. Several other people also wearing biker jackets were standing or sitting nearby.Swanton said police were aware in advance that at least three rival gangs would be gathering at the restaurant and at least 12 Waco officers in addition to state troopers were at the restaurant when the fight began.When the shooting began in the restaurant and then continued outside, armed bikers were shot by officers, Swanton said, adding that the actions of law enforcement prevented further deaths. It was not known if any of the nine dead were killed by police officers.It's not known what triggered the violence but Swanton and McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna said tensions had simmered among rival gangs for months."Apparently the management (of Twin Peaks) wanted them here and so we didn't have any say-so on whether they could be here or not," Swanton said.Attempts to contact Twin Peaks for comment were not immediately successful.The fight inside the restaurant began when punches were thrown and it quickly escalated to include chains and knives before firearms were drawn, Swanton said.Three armed gang members were arrested when they attempted to enter the shooting scene to retaliate against rival members, he said. Authorities are increasing security in the area to prevent further violence among the gangs.In addition to local and state police, the federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was also on the scene, according to its official twitter account.-- (c) Associated Press 2015-05-18
May 18, 201510 yr It will be interesting to see this unfolding, as it seems a lot of the shots were fired by law enforcement.
May 18, 201510 yr Oh good, I wondered how long it was going to take for an ignorant, anti-gun comment. It's speculation at this point, but it's been known for biker, and other gangs to contain criminals. Criminals aren't supposed to possess firearms, there are already laws against that. Gangs also make money, through extortion, prostitution, selling drugs, and yes firearms. Do you really think those guys give a s++t about background checks?
May 18, 201510 yr These bikers were not your weekend group of attorneys, doctors and $30,000 Harley's. These were your national and local outlaw gangs into crime. I just got done watching a live interview of the Waco Chief of Police and IMO this department did a stellar job and deserves all the support and praise. This is still ongoing.
May 18, 201510 yr Takes a special kind of idiot to start a gunfight when there's a dozen Texas law enforcement types right there.
May 18, 201510 yr Takes a special kind of idiot to start a gunfight when there's a dozen Texas law enforcement types right there. Actually the fight started BEFORE the Waco Swat arrived.
May 18, 201510 yr Wasn't Waco also the scene of the fight with Branch Davidians? They seem to like a good shootout in that city.
May 18, 201510 yr as long as no civilians were killed, that scum can continue to thin out their darwin members
May 18, 201510 yr Put all these gangs together in a well fenced paddock with plenty of beer and whisky and let them go to it. After a couple of days chuck in some shovels so the survivors can dig graves.
May 18, 201510 yr Takes a special kind of idiot to start a gunfight when there's a dozen Texas law enforcement types right there. Actually the fight started BEFORE the Waco Swat arrived. Police were aware of the meeting in advance, and at least 12 Waco officers in addition to state troopers were outside the restaurant, part of a national chain that features scantily clad waitresses, when the fight began. Source: http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/Multiple-injuries-reported-from-Texas-biker-gang-6269297.php Same source (video) says LEOs "were monitoring a meeting between 2 gangs when the fight broke out" SWAT may have showed up later, but it appears Texas was (once again) expecting violence and ready for it. Some more geniuses (same source): Three armed gang members were arrested later Sunday when they attempted to enter the shooting scene to retaliate against rival members, Swanton said.
May 18, 201510 yr Takes a special kind of idiot to start a gunfight when there's a dozen Texas law enforcement types right there. Actually the fight started BEFORE the Waco Swat arrived. According to the NY Times article, the police were already outside when the fighting erupted. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/18/us/motorcycle-gang-shootout-in-waco-texas.html?_r=0
May 18, 201510 yr A bit of good news at least: He told the Waco Tribune-Herald that the nine killed were all members of biker gangs.
May 18, 201510 yr Wasn't Waco also the scene of the fight with Branch Davidians? They seem to like a good shootout in that city. their renaming it WACKO
May 18, 201510 yr The "Twin Peaks" restaurant (and biker hangout) management wanted the biker business? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZmt9CtURP8
May 18, 201510 yr Put all these gangs together in a well fenced paddock with plenty of beer and whisky and let them go to it. After a couple of days chuck in some shovels so the survivors can dig graves. We Americans in the know call them White Trash
May 18, 201510 yr At least the bikers had taste for the location of the shoot out. Twin Peaks Restaurant is a chain mostly in Cracker Ville,USA. http://www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com
May 18, 201510 yr At least the bikers had taste for the location of the shoot out. Twin Peaks Restaurant is a chain mostly in Cracker Ville,USA. Is that macaroni and cheese? I love macaroni and cheese.
May 18, 201510 yr Put all these gangs together in a well fenced paddock with plenty of beer and whisky and let them go to it. After a couple of days chuck in some shovels so the survivors can dig graves. We Americans in the know call them White Trash Coming from a Guy that lives in Pattaya, hilarious
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