WACO, Texas — UPDATE: Nine people were killed at a massive biker brawl in Waco on Sunday. Reports now suggest four of the dead may have been shot by police.
Police knew about the gathering of biker gangs at the location and responded to the scene before the fight started.
The brawl started inside and spilled into the parking lot, police immediately drew their weapons. The bikers aimed their weapons at Officers… Police returned fire.
Police in Waco say the melee involved five gangs, including the Bandidos and the Cossacks, who clashed at a weekend recruiting event.
“Our officers took fire and responded appropriately, returning fire,” the sergeant said.
From CNN: “According to a law enforcement source, preliminary information indicates that four of the bikers killed were killed by police gunfire. The investigation continues and the ballistics will be analyzed to determine for certain who was responsible for each shooting.”
Talking to reporters on Sunday, Waco Police spokesman Sgt. Patrick Swanton cautioned that the groups involved in the shootout were not “a friendly group of motorcycle enthusiasts,” but criminal gangs.
UPDATE: 192 individuals are being arrested and processed this morning in reference to the Twin Peaks Shooting. They will all face Engaging in Organized Crime charges. They are being booked and processed at this time. McLennan County District Attorney is involved in our investigation and has been assisting us throughout the night.
TABC is implementing a Summary Suspension closing Twin Peaks for at least 7 days. This is not a punitive action on TABC’s part but done due to the ongoing danger it presents to our community. They are conducting a parallel investigation and further action may be forthcoming.
EARLIER: Nine people are dead and several others injured after a shoot-out between biker gangs in Waco.
The incident is at the ‘Twin-Peaks’ business, a quick google search said Twin Peaks is “a sports-bar chain where scantily clad waitresses serve American comfort food in lodgelike surrounds.”
A fight between the gangs spilled from inside the bar and into the parking lot. The brawl included chains, knives, bats, clubs, and firearms, reports said.
At about 2 p.m. a second crime scene was being investigated at the Waco Convention Center but only very few details were known about the situation there. A third shooting has reportedly taken place at Central Texas Marketplace.
Officers are also swarmming a Flying J Truck Stop, at Interstate 35 because a large number of bikers had been seen gathering there, KWTX reported.
Police are asking people to avoid the area as it is an active crime scene.
No police officers are reported to be injured. It is unknown if any patrons were injured. The Waco police made the following comment via Facebook: ‘Please avoid the Central Texas Market Place. Officers are working a shooting at Twin Peaks and the area is not safe…. Multiple injuries to include multiple fatalities at Twin Peak Shooting. Officers were on scene when shooting started. No officers have been injured.’
Waco is a city which is the county seat of McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is situated along the Brazos River and I-35, halfway between Dallas and Austin.
