Nine
people have been killed, 18 others sustained serious injuries and more than 160 arrested after a shootout between
rival biker gangs at a restaurant in Waco, Texas, according to police.
The police said those who were killed and
injured were gang members.
Waco police sergeant Patrick Swanton described to local
reporters what he said was “the most violent crime scene I have ever been
involved in” and said there was “blood everywhere”. He added: “None of our
innocent civilians were injured today in this fiasco.
The shootout took place at the Twin Peaks Sports Bar and
Grill on Interstate 35 at about midday on Sunday. Eight people died at the
scene and one died later in hospital. At least five rival gangs had gathered at
Twin Peaks for a meeting that Swanton said followed clashes over turf and
recruitment.
Police
were present because authorities were aware of the likelihood of trouble
between the gangs, Swanton
said, but “apparently the management [of the restaurant] wanted them
here and so we didn’t have any say-so on whether they could be here or not”.
“What happened here today could have been avoided,” he
said. “They [the restaurant management] failed and this is what happened.” A statement on Sunday night on behalf of Jay Patel,
operating partner for the Twin Peaks franchise in Waco, said: “Our management
team has had ongoing and positive communications with the police,” and added
that the restaurant was cooperating with the investigation.
Swanton, who said there were “still bodies on the scene
of the parking lot at Twin Peaks” and “cattered throughout the parking lot of
the next adjoining business”, also said: “In 34 years of law enforcement, this
is the most violent crime scene I have ever been involved in. There is blood
everywhere. Those injured suffered stab and gunshot wounds, Swanton
said, adding that the fight began with fists and then involved knives and guns.