Shooting Between Biker Gangs In Waco Leaves Nine Dead
A local restaurant in Waco, Texas, turned into a nightmare on Sunday when three rival biker gangs turned the establishment into their own personal proving ground. When the shoot-out was over, nine people were left dead and several more suffered injuries.
According to a report from KWTX, the shooting occurred just after noon at the Twin Peaks restaurant, which is located in the Central Texas Marketplace in Waco just off of Interstate 35. Local police officers, as well as Department of Public Safety troopers, were called to the restaurant on Sunday afternoon after reports came in of multiple shootings during a motorcycle gang fight.
As Waco police officers attempted to secure the scene outside the restaurant, KWTX reports that a fight between the biker gangs started in the restaurant and eventually spilled outside near the officers and local citizens. The fight turned from fists, to chains, clubs, knives, and eventually more gunfire.
The outdoor scene turned into something right out of the wild west, as biker gang members fired their weapons at each other right in front of the Waco police officers. The police returned fire, as well. At this point, the shooting was occurring between the Twin Peaks restaurant and Don Carlos restaurant in Waco.
We are closing the entire Central Texas Marketplace if you are here leave now. For safety reasons we again assert do not come to this area!
— WacoPolice (@WacoPolice) May 17, 2015
Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton told KWTX that the scene was, “absolute chaos.”
Local ambulances took victims to Baylor Scott and White Hillcrest Medical Center in Waco. The hospital was placed on lock-down, likely out of fear that violence could continue there. Eight people reportedly died at the scene of the crime, and another person died at the hospital.
Waco police have reportedly had premonitions that a violent scene might erupt at Twin Peaks restaurant, according to the KWTX report. Waco police had reportedly been trying to work with management at the restaurant to avoid a situation like occurred Sunday. District Attorney Abel Reyna had told KWTX News 10 two weeks ago that trouble was brewing between biker gangs at Twin Peaks. The restaurant holds Biker Nights on Thursday evenings. District Attorney Reyna noted that trouble between two local biker gangs was heightened when a biker gang from Dallas-Fort Worth became involved in the dispute.
A second crime scene in Waco was reported around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday. KWTX reported that officers were called to the Waco Convention Center, and witnesses reported seeing several men arrested at that scene. No other details were immediately known.
Officers were also called to the Interstate 35 Flying J Truck Stop in Waco after reports surfaced that several bikers had gathered at that location.
Outside of the deaths reported, it is unknown presently known what kinds of injuries were suffered at the crime scene. Whether or not any bystanders not directly involved with the biker gangs were injured or killed remains to be seen. The Central Texas Marketplace, with it’s proximity to Interstate 35, is a popular spot for travelers on their way through the Waco area.
It is also not yet known which biker gangs were involved in the Waco shootings, though shoot-outs between biker gangs are not uncommon. Inquisitr reported in October on several shootings involving the Hells Angels biker gang.
[Image via Heavy.com]
