Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton told CBS affiliate KWTX the shooting started a little after noontime Sunday at the Twin Peaks Restaurant in the Central Texas Market Place on Interstate 35, in Waco, Texas.
Waco police were assisted by the Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, as well as policemen from several other cities. Deputies from the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office also assisted.
According to Swanton, eight people were killed at the restaurant and one other person died at the hospital. Differing reports say 16 to 18 people suffered injuries in the fighting and it is not clear as of yet if anyone other than bikers were hurt.
The fight initially started out with two biker gangs going at it with fists and feet. Another rival biker gang joined in and the fight escalated to chains, clubs and knives, eventually ending in gunfire. Swanton said police also fired their weapons.
The scene at Twin Peaks Restaurant was secured after several hours, but law enforcement is concerned that the motorcycle gangs involved in the fight initially who fled the scene, may have moved to other locations in Waco to continue the fight.
“We have multiple medical and law enforcement resources in the area who are dealing with the issue,” Swanton said. He added that citizens should avoid the Central Texas Market Place area until an “all clear” is issued.
McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna told KWTX several weeks ago that police have been expecting trouble at the Twin Peaks Restaurant, an apparent hangout for bikers. Twin Peaks hosts a “Bikers Night” on Thursday nights and police have been trying to work with management to keep the whole situation between rival gangs under control, but have not been successful in getting the restaurant to help.
As it is, today, there were extra law enforcement officers stationed discretely in and around the area in anticipation of any trouble. Reyna said the fighting escalated today when two local rival gangs were joined by another biker gang from the Dallas-Ft. Worth Area.
