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Texas bikers in deadly shootout at Waco restaurant | Texas bikers in deadly shootout at Waco restaurant |
(about 3 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. | 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. | 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. | 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' | '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. | 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. | "This is probably one of the most gruesome crime scenes I've ever seen in my 34 years of law enforcement,'' he said. |
Police knew the meeting was going on, and officers moved in as soon as the shooting started. | Police knew the meeting was going on, and officers moved in as soon as the shooting started. |
McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara later said all nine who were killed were members of the Bandidos or Cossacks gangs, according to the Associated Press news agency. | |
"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 their lunch and walked into the car park when they heard gunshots. | One witness said he and his family had just finished their lunch and walked into the car park 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. | "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. | 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. | 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. |