DEVELOPING: Police have reported “multiple fatalities” resulting from a shooting between rival biker gangs at a restaurant Sunday in Waco, Texas.
“Officers were on scene when shooting started,” the Waco Police Department posted on Facebook. “No officers have been injured.”
Multiple injuries to include multiple fatalities at Twin Peak Shooting. Officers were on scene when shooting started. No officers have been injured.
Posted by Waco Police Department on Sunday, May 17, 2015
Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton confirmed that nine people are dead after the shooting at Central Texas Marketplace, which started around 12:15 p.m. local time Sunday afternoon. Several outside law enforcement agencies have been called and have responded to assist local police. Meanwhile, medical personnel and other first responders have come from as far away as Limestone County.
The severity of the injuries was not immediately clear and it’s unknown if bystanders at Twin Peaks restaurant were among the injured. However, Waco police and assisting agencies recovered chains, knives, bats, clubs and firearms.
Nearby restaurants Don Carlos and Twin Peaks were locked down for a time and later cleared. Police are not letting people into the area at this time because it is not safe, according to Swanton, who said authorities are concerned that gang members are moving to other parts of the city to continue the confrontation elsewhere.
McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna told KWTX earlier this month that law enforcement was aware of simmering conflicts between gangs that gathered at the restaurant.