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Texas bikers in deadly shootout at Waco restaurant | Texas bikers in deadly shootout at Waco restaurant |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Police in the US state of Texas say nine people have been killed and at least 100 arrested after a shootout between rival biker gangs in Waco. | |
The incident happened at the Twin Peaks Sports Bar and Grill in a shopping area called the Central Texas Market Place. | The incident happened at the Twin Peaks Sports Bar and Grill in a shopping area called the Central Texas Market Place. |
Police said eight had died at the scene and a ninth in hospital - all were bikers. At least 18 others were hurt. | |
One witness quoted by the Waco Tribune-Herald said the car park of the restaurant resembled "a war zone". | One witness quoted by the Waco Tribune-Herald said the car park of the restaurant resembled "a war zone". |
"There were maybe 30 guns being fired in the parking lot, maybe 100 rounds," Michelle Logan said. | "There were maybe 30 guns being fired in the parking lot, maybe 100 rounds," Michelle Logan said. |
Diners at the Twin Peaks cafe said they and the staff had locked themselves in a freezer room for safety before being escorted off the premises by armed police. | |
'Dangerous and hostile' | |
Waco police said the shooting happened shortly after midday when rival gangs got into a fight, apparently over parking space near the restaurant. Up to five gangs were involved. | |
Police spokesman Sgt W Patrick Swanton said the fight started with punches and then escalated to chains, clubs, knives and finally firearms. | Police spokesman Sgt W Patrick Swanton said the fight started with punches and then escalated to chains, clubs, knives and finally firearms. |
"This is probably one of the most gruesome crime scenes I've ever seen in my 34 years of law enforcement,'' he said. | |
Police moved in when shooting started and some of them also discharged their weapons, he added. | |
"These are very dangerous hostile biker gangs," Sgt Swanton said. "A lot of innocent people could have been injured today." | "These are very dangerous hostile biker gangs," Sgt Swanton said. "A lot of innocent people could have been injured today." |
One witness said he and his family had just finished finished their lunch and walked into the parking lot when they heard gunshots. | |
"We crouched down in front of our pick-up truck because that was the only cover we had," the witness - who asked not to be named - was quoted as saying. | |
Sgt Swanton said there were concerns that groups involved in the shooting may have moved to other locations in and around Waco. | |
Several nearby roads were closed, and police asked residents to avoid the area until an all-clear was issued. | |
Waco police said no officers had been injured in the shooting. | Waco police said no officers had been injured in the shooting. |