192 held after 9 die in biker gang shootout

WACO: Police in Waco, Texas said 192 people had been arrested in connection with a biker gang shootout that left nine dead and 18 people injured.

Those under arrest would face charges of engaging in organised crime, police said yesterday.

A simmering feud among rival biker gangs boiled over at a sports bar on Sunday, leading to a deadly gun battle in the parking lot.

The clash took place outside the Twin Peaks Sports Bar and Grill at a shopping mall in the central Texas city, police said.

Eighteen people were taken to hospital with injuries that included gunshot and stab wounds, said Sergeant Patrick Swanton.

The fight, which involved members of at least three gangs, erupted shortly after noon and quickly escalated into a brawl involving clubs, knives and chains, Swanton said. The fight may have been sparked by a dispute over a parking spot.

When the bikers began shooting, officers moved in, some of them firing their weapons. When the shooting ended, bodies were scattered across two parking lots.

“These are very dangerous, hostile biker gangs,” Swanton said. “A lot of innocent people could have been injured today.”

Eight bikers had been killed at the scene and one died at hospital, he said. No officers had been hurt.

He could not say whether any of the casualties were the result of police gunfire.

Some businesses in the area closed early on Sunday after police warned people to stay away from the scene of the crime.

Swanton said police had received intelligence that other gang members might be coming to the area for “payback”. Three gang members were arrested trying to enter the crime scene. – Reuters