Waco police 'can't wait' for video to combat conspiracies

WFAA ^ | May 21, 2015 | Josh Davis

[McGruff]

Waco police took issue with online conspiracy theories regarding Sunday's shooting at a Twin Peaks restaurant, with a spokesman saying Thursday the department "can't wait" to show the public "what truly happened."

Police have said after a disturbance in the parking lot Sunday, a fight began in the restaurant's bathroom that quickly escalated into an armed brawl and shootout that left nine motorcycle gang members dead and another 18 injured.

According to Waco police, the deadly altercation began after one gang of bikers showed up uninvited to a planned meeting of other motorcycle groups at the restaurant.

"You will eventually see what happened at Twin Peaks," said Waco police spokesman Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton in a news conference Thursday at 5:30 p.m. "I've seen it... It was horrible."

Sgt. Swanton said video of the fight and fatal shooting won't be available to the media or public until the McLennan County District Attorney's Office decides to release it, and that that time may not come until the investigation is much further along.

Swanton said there is currently no time frame on when the investigation may be complete, explaining that the nine men killed Sunday were more homicides than his department investigated in all of 2014. He also cited the complicated nature of the crime scene, which stretches from the interior of the restaurant to well into the parking lot.

More than 300 weapons have been recovered from Twin Peaks and the parking lot. Many were hidden throughout the restaurant, though police have not specified whether the weapons were placed there before the shooting or hidden by suspects as police responded to the chaotic scene.

Swanton specifically addressed those who have claimed online that police instigated the violence Sunday.

"Those who were involved know law enforcement did absolutely nothing to start this," Swanton said. He later said "a criminal element at Twin Peaks" started it.

Earlier this week, officials said there were 18 local police officers as well as four DPS troopers in place at the restaurant prior to a motorcycle group's event on Sunday because they were aware of the potential for violence.

[mabarker1]

Cough, Cough!! Hack, BS!!!

RELEASE THE VIDEO NOW, NOT AFTER REDACTION...

[skeeter]

You can stop all the speculation any time, officer.

[treetopsandroofs]

This article will certainly satisfy the fascists today.

[GingisK]

They sound like the same men who wanted to make a nice movie at the Waco Siege/Standoff.

[treetopsandroofs]

This article will certainly satisfy the FR fascists today.

[PghBaldy]

So there were 50 to 1000 weapons per various reports from the police). They can’t even give an honest number of weapons.

[Sherman Logan]

Baloney. Video and other evidence is released, and should be, only after investigation has been largely completed, as with any other criminal investigation.

However, when it is released, they should make raw footage available to hopefully eliminate arguments there has been inappropriate editing. Or to show that such editing HAS occurred.

When these conspiracy theory arguments pop up, I think we should remember that there are tribal mentalities in play on most, though perhaps not all, sides. The club/gang members are going to stand by their “brothers” no matter what, and the cops are going to similarly stand by their “blue brethren.” Similar issues popped up in Ferguson. In that case blue vs. black tribes.

Which means witness testimony by either group should be taken with a grain or two of salt. Uninvolved bystanders are more reliable, being probably unbiased, but even in such circumstances they turn out to be notoriously unreliable if actual objective evidence such as video is also available. People just aren’t good at remembering accurate detail in such stressful and shocking environments.

[smokingfrog]

They seem to have a “loose” definition of “weapon”.

[Roman_War_Criminal]

Say something enough with whole-hearted conviction and we’ll just buy the story right?

Why does it take so long to release the video anyways?

[gaijin]

After the shooting we will see them gathering up ONE THOUSAND biker weapons, huh?

Suuuuuure we will, sure.

[bray]

Those poor innocent bikers were simply having a revival. Good riddance.

Pray America is waking

[JJ_Folderol]

I’m looking forward to the edited Cliff’s Notes version.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

They should hire the guys from the old MXE show to do the narration.

[Jay Redhawk]

Many of the weapons were found neatly hidden and wrapped in napkins, while others appeared to be quickly stashed in the dishwasher.

[hadaclueonce]

Any time the BATF is involved in anything, I want more information.

The truth would be nice.

[rellimpank]

—yeah—and I “can’t wait” to see what the autopsy results reveal as to what caliber weapons caused the deaths and to whose weapons they trace, if that is possible-—

[MrEdd]

The restaurant already released the video.
The police really look bad.

[MCF]

So, according to your opinion, anyone who is willing to wait for the video and the rest of the evidence to be presented before making a judgment is a Fascist. An interesting definition of Fascist.

[etcb]

We sometime forget that the police and DA have obligations other than to cater to Internet speculation. All individuals charged will have an opportunity to challenge any video or other evidence presented. Satisfying conspiracy theories is not their objective nor, in most cases, even possible.