Texas shootout among rival biker gangs leaves 9 dead

[webfact]

Texas shootout among rival biker gangs leaves 9 dead
By NOMAAN MERCHANT

WACO, 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

[impulse]

It will be interesting to see this unfolding, as it seems a lot of the shots were fired by law enforcement.

[Shot]

[webfact]

Credit: Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune Herald via AP

[khwaibah]

A very proud day for Texas and the NRA.

[spiritrace]

What does the NRA have to do with it?

[beechguy]

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?

[khwaibah]

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.

[impulse]

Takes a special kind of idiot to start a gunfight when there's a dozen Texas law enforcement types right there.

[khwaibah]

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.

[canopus1969]

As long as the fight was between themsleve and noboby else was hurt then game on.

[Scott]

Conspiracy post removed.

[skildpadden]

Wasn't Waco also the scene of the fight with Branch Davidians? They seem to like a good shootout in that city.

[maidee]

as long as no civilians were killed, that scum can continue to thin out their darwin members

[deckard]

Sons of Anarchy ???? mindless violence .

[Robby nz]

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.

[impulse]

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.

[smotherb]

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

[smotherb]

Sons of Anarchy ???? mindless violence .

The Sons of Anarchy is a TV show.

[alfalfa19]

A bit of good news at least: He told the Waco Tribune-Herald that the nine killed were all members of biker gangs.

[heybuz]

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

[MaxYakov]

The "Twin Peaks" restaurant (and biker hangout) management wanted the biker business?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZmt9CtURP8

[harryfrompattaya]

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

[khwaibah]

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

[impulse]

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.

[BuaBS]

Just like in the movies...

[khwaibah]

Just like in the movies...

[DiamondKing]

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

[jollyhangmon]

Ahh, slight tiff sorted out it appears ... as always Darwin prevailed.

[Bernard Flint]

Are the thai haters reading this???????