MAY 17, 2015
WHACKO
WACO, TEXAS
A shootout among
rival biker gangs and police 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.