Nine outlaw rival biker-gang members were killed and 18 wounded in "one of the most gruesome" gunfights at a sports bar run by an Indian-origin man in the US State of Texas, attracting organised crime charges for nearly 200 people. Eight bikers died at the scene of shooting at Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco around noon on Sunday, while another died at a hospital later.
All those who died in the shooting were members of Bandidos or Cossacks gangs, local media reported. Parts of downtown Waco were locked down, and officials stopped and questioned motorcycle riders. Texas police said 192 people are to face organised crime charges in connection with the shooting. Authorities had anticipated trouble and pre-positioned officers near the restaurant that draws large lunchtime crowd.
Waco police Sgt Patrick Swanton said at least five rival gangs gathered at the restaurant for a meeting that, he said, focused on turf and recruitment, two areas where the biker gangs have often clashed. An initial probe suggested a dispute broke out in a bathroom, and soon escalated to include knives, clubs and chains. Eventually the brawl descended into a battle of firearms and spilled into the restaurant parking lot, he said.