Texas Shooting: Who Are The Waco Bikers? Police Declare Involvement Of Five Gangs

The brutal standoff between bikers in Waco, Texas, that left nine bikers dead is undoubtedly one of the most gruesome crimes the region has witnessed. Even as details are still emerging, Waco Police Sgt. Patrick Swanton announced he knew which biker gangs were involved in the violent brawl.

Speaking at a news conference in Waco, Texas, Sgt. Swanton said he knew well that five biker gangs are involved, but chose not to name them, lest he would glorify them in the process.

“I am not about to give them the respect of mentioning their names.”

Though the sergeant is tight-lipped about the bikers, it isn’t hard to intelligently guess which groups were involved in the violent skirmish that ironically began with an intention to peacefully settle the differences with amicable talks.

When this began, multiple Waco bikers could be seen sporting jackets with the names Cossacks and Scimitars sewn on their backs. Additionally, all nine fatalities were reportedly members of either the Bandidos or Cossacks.

Members of about five biker gangs had assembled at Twin Peaks Restaurant in the Central Texas Market Place on Sunday to discuss and settle their differences. However, the situation quickly turned ugly with multiple bikers drawing knives, firearms, and handmade weapons. The sergeant added that the gang members had come armed with “bad-guys weapons” like brass knuckles, knives, and guns, and were quite pumped, as well. Other weapons recovered on the scene included chains, bats, clubs, etc.

The brawl eventually spilled into the parking lot, where infuriated bikers then started firing at each other. In the ensuing crossfire, eighteen people were hit, and nine of them succumbed to their wounds before they could be taken to a nearby hospital. The rest were treated for gunshot and stab wounds.

The police have since cordoned off the area and aren’t letting anyone near the crime scene. However, multiple authorities are concerned the gang members might have already moved onto other parts of the city to continue with the brawl, and fear they might have to dispatch additional law enforcement officers to these regions.

More than 190 bikers have so far been arrested in Waco. Texas authorities are already on high alert.

[Update] The Chron reports that biker gangs might have started putting out “green lights” – a code for gang-sanctioned go-ahead to kill — on the officers who have been entrusted with the case.

[Image Credit: Jerry Larson / AP, Getty Images]