About 170 individuals were arrested for charges of organized crime related to capital murder, officials announced on Monday. The arrests were made as a result of a violent clash between two motorcycle gangs in Waco, Texas.
On Sunday, the two gangs clashed in the middle of a crowded shopping center. A total of 9 people were killed and at least 18 injured. The two gangs, the Bandidos and Cossacks, fell into dispute in a Twin Peaks restaurant. According to officials, the gangs began fighting in the bathroom of the restaurant. The fight spread into the restaurant and eventually outside to the shopping center parking lot. At first, gang members used fists, but the fighting escalated to involve knives, chains, and firearms.
Police were quickly at the scene and about 22 law enforcement officers were present at the start of the shooting around noon. "There were multiple people on the scene firing weapons at each other. They then turned on our officers. Our officers returned gunfire, wounding and possibly killing several," said Sergeant Patrick Swanton of the Waco Police Department. No bystanders or officers were hurt in the shootout.
Sgt. Swanston stated that a total of 170 gang members were arrested and charged with links to capital murder. The bail is posted at $1 million for each individual.
"Texas will not stand for the type of lawlessness we witnessed in Waco yesterday. My office, along with law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels, is committed to providing any and all resources needed to support the Waco Police Department and the local community. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the first responders who put themselves in harm's way to protect innocent lives," said Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
The fight broke out allegedly over claims of jurisdiction. Various motorcycle clubs met at the Twin Peaks restaurant for a regional meeting. The Bandidos were part of the group invited to the meeting, but the Cossacks were not. The Bandidos are an older gang that claim Texas as their stake; the Cossacks are a newer gang that challenged that claim and attended the regional meeting despite their lack of membership in the regional group.
