9 killed in rival biker gang shootout in Texas

Police escort a man at the scene of a shooting in Waco, Texas, in this handout photo provided by the Waco Police Department on May 17, 2015 (Reuters / Waco Police Department)

Police escort a man at the scene of a shooting in Waco, Texas, in this handout photo provided by the Waco Police Department on May 17, 2015 (Reuters / Waco Police Department)

At least nine people have been killed and 18 injured in a shootout between rival biker gangs outside the Twin Peaks Restaurant in Waco, Texas. The brawl quickly escalated from fists to gunfire despite police, aware of possible trouble, being at the scene.

Eight bikers have been killed as a result of the violence that
broke out between the rival gangs in Waco, while one more died in
hospital, local media reported citing police. At least 18 more
people suffered gunshot and stab wounds and were brought to a
local hospital.

Police said no officers were wounded or killed in the shootout,
but it was unclear whether any bystanders were injured.

According to witnesses, members of two or even three rival biker
gangs were having a brawl in and outside the Twin Peaks
Restaurant when the gunfire erupted. Witnesses said the fighting began
with punching and kicking but quickly escalated and knives,
chains and bats could be seen before the shooting
started.
Waco
police officers were already at the scene when the action
escalated, Waco Police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said, according to
KWTX-TV.

“Gang members were shooting at each other and officers at the
scene fired their weapons, as well,”
Swanton said,
confirming no policemen were injured.

Police have reportedly been arresting anyone bearing arms at the
scene, recovering chains, knives, bats, clubs and firearms.
The FBI has reportedly
arrived at the scene.

“There was an incident but thankfully the awesome Waco Police
have been on the premises and assisting with this
situation,”
a Twin Peaks employee wrote on Facebook

Police have warned that the entire Central Texas Marketplace is
closed, urging people to leave now and avoid this area.

Police had been anticipating trouble when bikers started
gathering outside Twin Peaks, with District Attorney Abel Reyna
warning of potential dangers from rival gangs for months. Reyna
told KWTX that a dispute which had erupted between two local
motorcycle gangs spilled over to involve the Dallas-Fort Worth
area gangs.

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