Posted on 05/20/2015 8:39:04 AM PDT by Enlightened1
A fight that escalated to gunfire between rival biker gangs in a Waco, Texas, restaurant parking lot today left nine people dead, police said.
Eighteen people were taken from the scene to hospitals, mostly for gunshot and stab wounds, Waco Police Sgt. Patrick Swanton said at a news conference. Everyone involved was a gang member, police said.
The violence began as a fight between "criminal biker gangs" at the Twin Peaks Restaurant in the Central Texas Market Place early this afternoon, Swanton said. The fight then spilled into the parking lot where gang members fired at each other, Swanton said.
"As that fight progressed, it progressed very rapidly from hands and feet as weapons to chains," he said. "My understanding a club was involved and knives were involved."
Officers were at the scene when the shooting started, police said, and some officers fired at the bikers. No officers were injured, police said.
Witnesses reported hearing as many as 100 rounds fired from 30 guns.
Police closed the entire Central Texas Market Place shopping area, saying that there was a danger of more violence.
"It is still not totally secure because of the intel that we're getting of individuals wanting to do some payback," he said.
Over the past few months, he says they were aware of rival biker gangs causing issues at the Twin Peaks restaurant.
"We have attempted to work with the local management of Twin Peaks to get that cut back to no avail," he said. "They have not been of much assistance to us."
(Excerpt) Read more at liveleak.com ...
Well this incident wasn’t a matter of a “justifiable commotion”.
If I’m an officer and guns are firing in a public place then you can bet I’d be firing at those shooting handguns to take them down. Especially if they’re aiming at me.
The waitresses have already stated that many of the bikers were armed and firing as they ran out or hid.
The restaurant has said there was no fight in the restaurant, it all happened outside
That is not what employees are saying.
Other freepers have mentioned that is typical to stash weapons around the place where they will be ahead of time too. So not sure if most/all/some were stashed prior - or dumped as they ran out.
It will be interesting to hear the stories that the bikers have afterwards. If it truly was a cross section of society (oil company ceo’s and drug dealers), a decent picture might be arrived at.
Of the deceased, I read an article where only three of them had criminal records. One was a DWI, one was assault, and one was having a gun illegally. So it not like these guys (at least the deceased) had rap sheets a mile long.
The one photo of the cop by a bunch of bikers on the ground looked like the cop was protecting them from a threat, with the bikers on the ground up against the back ends of cars and sort of pile on each other.
“The restaurant has said there was no fight in the restaurant, it all happened outside. “
Still their responsibility.
Ah, roger that. Next time someone points a gun at me or is using deadly force against someone else I’ll make sure they are convicted in a court of law before I respond.
“That is not what employees are saying.”
I heard an employee speak and she said they hid in the freezer because of the gun fight outside. She didn’t say there was any fight inside.
No matter how this investigation goes all the bikers will say and do what is needful to escape the charges, if they’re charged.
As far as my take.... why would a biker even go there when it was known beforehand this meeting would entail ‘gangs at war’ with one another..... It’s not like this was organized in secret..... Nothing good was going to come of this from the get go and any who attended this knew the risk beforehand if they showed up.......All that followed , and follows now, was understood as possible and the risk of serious violence by being there.
Wearing their colors and cuts etc. did more then identify them..it marked them as well by the opposing sides of this war. ...and once the guns started firing ‘they took the risk ‘ of being a target.
When you choose to hang with groups known for violence you also assume the risk for your safety...and you alone.
Well...another specifically said she ran outside when the bikers pulled guns (inside).
So the stories yet have all to be reported...and witnesses who were there.
I said: “The restaurant has said there was no fight in the restaurant, it all happened outside. “
You said: “Still their responsibility.”
No, it isn’t. If you own a business and there is a gun fight outside your business, you are not responsible for that happening. To say you are, makes no legal sense. You can’t control what another person does. That restaurant is part of a large shopping center and you would not own the parking lot so you would not be responsible for what happens on that lot.
Someone on this thread said there was a lot of blood inside the restaurant but he can’t find the source where he read that. The restaurant owner said there was no fight inside the restaurant so I don’t believe there was a lot of blood inside the restaurant.
Now, after the fight, if they took some injured inside the restaurant to give aid due to their injuries, there could be blood inside the restaurant.
I hope you never try to represent yourself in a legal case...
One said that they were inside and afraid to dial out for fear one of the outlaws with drawn guns might shoot them.
Why do these people go through so many contortions in order to defend the outlaw gangs?
“No, it isn’t. If you own a business and there is a gun fight outside your business, you are not responsible for that happening. “
McDonalds had to pay $27 million to the family of a victim that was beaten in their parking lot.
As a business, you have to maintain a safe enviornment in your parking lot.
Inviting gang bangers onto your property without adequate security sets you up for a big liability risk.
....”Why do these people go through so many contortions in order to defend the outlaw gangs?”......
Well IMO I think because in our society today it’s all about taking one side or the other...(no thanks to Obama as he’s divided this country as no other)....therefore ‘everything’ now seems to be a matter of taking sides rather than seeking the truth.
Therefore you’re either for against the cops...for or against the bikers.....and if you oppose opinion of those who disagree you can pretty much be battered for doing so.
I think we’ll find the franchise holder of this restaurant was compliant with the bikers agenda.....guns and other paraphernalia was found hidden in the restaurant....and would explain why he would not let the police in to secure it when they asked if they might do so during this meeting.
“Therefore you’re either for against the cops...for or against the bikers.....”
I agree. I have already been labeled as an undercover cop here even though I have said NOTHING about the cops’ actions.
FR just isn’t as it once was....if you disagree expect to get a tongue lashing. Unfortunately that without any contribution to the discussion..when there is one.
Hopefully as the election draws closer all this might level out...but for now it gets nasty here if you disagree.
“Inviting gang bangers onto your property without adequate security sets you up for a big liability risk.”
Restaurants open to serve the public - customers who come in - I don’t think they send invitations by name to violent bikers to encourage them to come into their restaurant.
You wouldn’t know if a violent individual came into your restaurant to kill people - every restaurant everywhere would have to have a security person with a handgun “in case” a violent person came in.
I’ve been here since 1997, and I’ve witnessed the elections of 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. Every four years I keep a low profile and my (typing) mouth shut. It’s less stressful that way.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.