[News] Biker Gang Shootout in Waco, TX

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Sun May 17, 2015 7:10 pm

Nine people were killed Sunday and some others injured after a shootout erupted among rival biker gangs at a Central Texas restaurant, sending patrons and bystanders fleeing for safety, a police spokesman said.

The violence erupted shortly after noon at a busy Waco marketplace along Interstate 35 that draws a large lunchtime crowd. Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said eight people died at the scene of the shooting at Twin Peaks restaurant and another person at a hospital. It's not immediately clear if bystanders are among the dead.
...
There are still bodies on the scene of the parking lot at Twin Peaks," he said. "There are bodies that are scattered throughout the parking lot of the next adjoining business."

A photo from the scene showed dozens of motorcycles parked in a lot. Among the bikes, at least three people wearing what looked like biker jackets were on the ground, two on their backs and one face down. Police were standing a few feet away in a group. Several other people also wearing biker jackets were standing or sitting nearby.

Swanton said police were aware in advance that at least three rival gangs would be gathering at the restaurant and at least 12 Waco officers in addition to state troopers were at the restaurant when the fight began.

When the shooting began in the restaurant and then continued outside, armed bikers were shot by officers, Swanton said, explaining that the actions of law enforcement prevented further deaths.

It's not known what triggered the violence but Swanton and McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna said tensions had simmered among rival gangs for months.

"Apparently the management (of Twin Peaks) wanted them here and so we didn't have any say-so on whether they could be here or not," Swanton said.
...
The fight inside the restaurant began when punches were thrown and it quickly escalated to include chains and knives before firearms were drawn, Swanton said.

Skinypupy · Post by **Skinypupy** » Sun May 17, 2015 7:12 pm

Jax Teller unavailable for comment.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Sun May 17, 2015 7:18 pm

He drove into a projector screen, I believe.

Redfive · Post by **Redfive** » Sun May 17, 2015 7:42 pm

Skinypupy wrote:Jax Teller unavailable for comment.

Mayans and the Niners were also among the casualties. No sign of the Galindo Cartel. (I'm only on Season 5)

Kraken · Post by **Kraken** » Sun May 17, 2015 9:37 pm

Us non-Texicans kind of assume that Wild West/Mad Max shootouts are routine in TX. Or maybe I'm just playing too much Fallout NV.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Sun May 17, 2015 10:32 pm

I almost wish they'd just take all these idiots and put them together in a room with all the knives they could want and just let them kill each other off. The gene pool would certainly be cleaner.

cheeba · Post by **cheeba** » Mon May 18, 2015 12:17 am

I don't get biker gangs. I don't get the need to be with a bunch of other dudes in leather.

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Mon May 18, 2015 11:19 am

There was a series on NatGeo or History a few years ago that profiled all the various gangs around the United States. It was absolutely fascinating to watch. Not the fake documentary "Devil's Ride" but profile pieces on the motorcycle clubs, their histories and current status.

Moliere · Post by **Moliere** » Mon May 18, 2015 11:25 am

hepcat wrote:I almost wish they'd just take all these idiots and put them together in a room with all the knives they could want and just let them kill each other off. The gene pool would certainly be cleaner.

Celebrity Deathmatch! Wait, which idiots are we talking about?

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon May 18, 2015 11:32 am

I was talking about the bikers, but I'm fine with extending it to reality television stars.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon May 18, 2015 11:43 am

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, the state's licensing board, has suspended the Twin Peak's location's license.

"TABC is implementing a Summary Suspension closing Twin Peaks for at least 7 days," the Waco Police Department said on its Facebook page. "This is not a punitive action on TABC's part but done due to the ongoing danger it presents to our community. They are conducting a parallel investigation and further action may be forthcoming."

Oh, and their corporate office has pulled their franchising rights.

A Dallas-based company that operated a Waco Twin Peaks restaurant that was the site of a deadly biker gathering Sunday has had its franchising rights “immediately revoked,” a Twin Peaks spokesman said early Monday.

The location, where nine bikers were shot and killed, open Aug. 11, 2014 and is owned by the Dallas-based Chalak Mitra Group, the same company that owns the Genghis Grill chain. Both Twin Peaks and Genghis Grill are two of the fastest growing chains in the nation.

Chalak Mitra is a relatively new Twin Peaks franchisee and the parent company acted swiftly to sever all ties.

hepcat · Post by **hepcat** » Mon May 18, 2015 12:00 pm

A news report on NPR mentioned that the restaurant had been repeatedly asked to stop holding a weekly Biker's night due to gang activity, but they refused. I'm glad they're getting punished for willfully catering to thugs.

...and by thugs, I mean people who are violent criminals.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Mon May 18, 2015 12:06 pm

Were these guys wearing the traditional biker gang vests?

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon May 18, 2015 12:07 pm

The Texas Department of Public Safety, our state-level law enforcement/DMV stand-in, put together a handy guide on Texas Gang Threat Assessment with county-specific maps so you can plan your tourism appropriately.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon May 18, 2015 12:08 pm

McNutt wrote:Were these guys wearing the traditional biker gang vests?

The Justice Department has a page on their top Outlaw Motorcycle Gang threats. The Bandidos, one of the players in Waco, is listed there with picture of their flair.

Redfive · Post by **Redfive** » Mon May 18, 2015 1:00 pm

McNutt wrote:Were these guys wearing the traditional biker gang vests?

Nice SS tat on the one guy.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Mon May 18, 2015 1:06 pm

Isgrimnur wrote:
The location, where nine bikers were shot and killed, open Aug. 11, 2014 and is owned by the Dallas-based Chalak Mitra Group, the same company that owns the Genghis Grill chain. Both Twin Peaks and Genghis Grill are two of the fastest growing chains in the nation.

Chalak Mitra is a relatively new Twin Peaks franchisee and the parent company acted swiftly to sever all ties.

See, I think they missed a great opportunity by choosing the wrong place to host get-togethers for roving violent mounted gangs.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon May 18, 2015 1:06 pm

Isgrimnur wrote:
McNutt wrote:Were these guys wearing the traditional biker gang vests?
The Justice Department has a page on their top Outlaw Motorcycle Gang threats. The Bandidos, one of the players in Waco, is listed there with picture of their flair.

Now with actual link.

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon May 18, 2015 1:08 pm

LawBeefaroni wrote:
Isgrimnur wrote:
The location, where nine bikers were shot and killed, open Aug. 11, 2014 and is owned by the Dallas-based Chalak Mitra Group, the same company that owns the Genghis Grill chain. Both Twin Peaks and Genghis Grill are two of the fastest growing chains in the nation.

Chalak Mitra is a relatively new Twin Peaks franchisee and the parent company acted swiftly to sever all ties.
See, I think they missed a great opportunity by choosing the wrong place to host get-togethers for roving violent mounted gangs.

The nearest one is in Killeen, 50 miles down the road. And the gangs there tend to dress all in camo and come with heavy artillery.

Kurth · Post by **Kurth** » Mon May 18, 2015 4:11 pm

Isgrimnur wrote:
Isgrimnur wrote:
McNutt wrote:Were these guys wearing the traditional biker gang vests?
The Justice Department has a page on their top Outlaw Motorcycle Gang threats. The Bandidos, one of the players in Waco, is listed there with picture of their flair.
Now with actual link.

How awesome is it that these gangs are referred to as OMGs by law enforcement?

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs and Photos

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs) are organizations whose members use their motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal enterprises. OMGs are highly structured criminal organizations whose members engage in criminal activities such as violent crime, weapons trafficking, and drug trafficking. There are more than 300 active OMGs within the United States, ranging in size from single chapters with five or six members to hundreds of chapters with thousands of members worldwide. The Hells Angels, Mongols, Bandidos, Outlaws, and Sons of Silence pose a serious national domestic threat and conduct the majority of criminal activity linked to OMGs, especially activity relating to drug-trafficking and, more specifically, to cross-border drug smuggling. Because of their transnational scope, these OMGs are able to coordinate drug smuggling operations in partnership with major international drug-trafficking organizations (DTOs).

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon May 18, 2015 4:28 pm

First round of mugshots released.

Possible police-targeted violence coming:

[Waco Police spokesman Patrick] Swanton said law enforcement agencies began receiving intelligence reports Sunday night that a "green light" had been put out on officers in uniforms by several of the gangs. A "green light" is a gang-sactioned go-ahead to kill.

Members of of the Waco Police Department, Texas Rangers and Texas Department of Public Safety remained on the scene heavily armed with military-style rifles and other weaponry. There also appeared to be officers clad in gilly suits on the roof of the Twin Peaks restaurants.

"We are on high alert," Swanton said. "We encourage those individuals not to bring criminal activity to Waco, but let it be know, if they do, we are ready."

Carpet_pissr · Post by **Carpet_pissr** » Mon May 18, 2015 5:15 pm

Isgrimnur wrote:
Isgrimnur wrote:
McNutt wrote:Were these guys wearing the traditional biker gang vests?
The Justice Department has a page on their top Outlaw Motorcycle Gang threats. The Bandidos, one of the players in Waco, is listed there with picture of their flair.
Now with actual link.

Second one's name in that lineup is "Bohar Crump". Best made-up name, ever! Or maybe it's an anagram. But for what?! Crobar Hump? Broham Crup?

Isgrimnur · Post by **Isgrimnur** » Mon May 18, 2015 5:19 pm

Broach Rump
Rumba Porch
Arbor Chump
Camphor Rub
Champ Burro
Mr Bra Pouch

JonathanStrange · Post by **JonathanStrange** » Mon May 18, 2015 7:04 pm

Coincidentally TCM had some biker movies a couple of days ago - Hells Angels on Wheels ( with Jack Nicholson as 'Poet'), The Wild One (Marlon Brando), The Born Losers ('Billy Jack' and a very cute female lead named?), The Glory Stompers (Dennis Hopper)....

All a bit tame and poorly made (except for the Brando one) but fun in a cheesy time warp way. I watched, over the years maybe a couple of dozen '60s and '70s biker movies for their weirdly antiseptic and corny portrayals of biker life but ...

That stuff in Waco? $h1t just got real. Why can't real life be like the movies where fists fly but you lived, you walked away.

KKBlue · Post by **KKBlue** » Mon May 18, 2015 10:05 pm

How my aunt was talking to me today, I thought this shootout happened a few towns over

Now, I'm thinking she got "things" messed up again and only gave me parts of a story. Seeing how I don't get the local newspaper or listen to local TV news, I didn't question her retelling. She seemed so perplexed as to how a police station could detain so many people at once.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Tue May 19, 2015 11:17 am

I read an interview with a biker who said that this beef started because of the "Texas" patch, called a rocker, on the bottom of the back of the Cossack's jackets. The Banditos have been wearing that rocker for decades and it symbolizes that the state of Texas is Bandito territory. Other groups can form motorcycle clubs, but they have to ask the Banditos for permission and they most certainly cannot wear a Texas rocker. The Cossacks have been around for a long time and have been adding a lot of hardcore bikers to their numbers. Recently they decided to say "screw it" and added the Texas rocker to their jackets. That is a bold move and now either the Banditos or the Cossacks are going to have to back down. The bad blood that came from those rockers made the Twin Peaks biker event a seriously bad idea. Law officials knew what was brewing between the two over that rocker and did not want a lot of them getting together.

So now these guys are going to be gunning for each other as long as they are both wearing the rocker.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Tue May 19, 2015 12:06 pm

McNutt wrote:I read an interview with a biker who said that this beef started because of the "Texas" patch, called a rocker, on the bottom of the back of the Cossack's jackets. The Banditos have been wearing that rocker for decades and it symbolizes that the state of Texas is Bandito territory. Other groups can form motorcycle clubs, but they have to ask the Banditos for permission and they most certainly cannot wear a Texas rocker. The Cossacks have been around for a long time and have been adding a lot of hardcore bikers to their numbers. Recently they decided to say "screw it" and added the Texas rocker to their jackets. That is a bold move and now either the Banditos or the Cossacks are going to have to back down. The bad blood that came from those rockers made the Twin Peaks biker event a seriously bad idea. Law officials knew what was brewing between the two over that rocker and did not want a lot of them getting together.

So now these guys are going to be gunning for each other as long as they are both wearing the rocker.

What a great microcosm of how stupid shit amongst fundamentally similar populations leads to the fiercest (and most idiotic) conflicts.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Tue May 19, 2015 12:31 pm

Yes, this does seem like it's really dumb. I'm not sure what sort of an impact two clubs with the same rocker would have on the business interests of those clubs. If the Cossacks start wearing Texas rockers, how does that hurt the Banditos? I think they just see it as a sign of disrespect, and apparently that's enough motivation to start killing people.

WYBaugh · Post by **WYBaugh** » Tue May 19, 2015 12:36 pm

I did a search on Texas rockers and the only pics I could find were of ZZ Top.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Tue May 19, 2015 12:43 pm

Redfive wrote:

Nice SS tat on the one guy.

I just noticed the guy on the right is sporting an SS badge too. As a Texas resident, if I see these guys enter the place I'm eating, I'm immediately asking for the check.

BTW - A member of an outlaw club did an Ask Me Anything on Reddit. Interesting reading.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Tue May 19, 2015 1:52 pm

McNutt wrote:
Redfive wrote:

Nice SS tat on the one guy.
I just noticed the guy on the right is sporting an SS badge too. As a Texas resident, if I see these guys enter the place I'm eating, I'm immediately asking for the check.

BTW - A member of an outlaw club did an Ask Me Anything on Reddit. Interesting reading.

And the bandana means...

Wikipedia wrote:Yellow: Watersports

Smoove_B · Post by **Smoove_B** » Tue May 19, 2015 2:03 pm

McNutt wrote:I just noticed the guy on the right is sporting an SS badge too.

From the internets:

Frequently, additional patches may involve symbols, such as the use of the Nazi version swastikas or the SS death's head. These generally do not indicate Nazi sympathies, but serve to express the outlaw biker's total rejection of social constraints, and desire for the shock value among those who fail to understand the biker way.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Tue May 19, 2015 2:29 pm

I have to think there are better, less-likely-to-be-mistaken-for-genocidal ways to shock and be non-conformist (in a conforming way). That might also explain the bandana.

Though I believe it's bullshit. The tattoo is probably from prison Aryan brotherhood affiliation. The patch is probably some award or rank. Or maybe that's just what us "normals" are supposed to think. Hmmm.

Carpet_pissr · Post by **Carpet_pissr** » Tue May 19, 2015 2:59 pm

LawBeefaroni wrote:I have to think there are better, less-likely-to-be-mistaken-for-genocidal ways to shock and be non-conformist (in a conforming way). That might also explain the bandana.

I dunno..."I

genocide" is pretty high on the shock value list in my book at least.

Bakhtosh · Post by **Bakhtosh** » Tue May 19, 2015 3:08 pm

You've got the Road Captain and the Sgt at Arms in that pic. Is that a leadership meeting? If so, it makes me wonder about the tall guy with nothing on the front of his vest.

Or are those secondary "officers" talking with a few members/recruits. Love to see the other vests in that group...from a distance.

http://www.answers.com/Q/Motorcycle_club_members_ranks

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Tue May 19, 2015 3:12 pm

All of my knowledge comes from Sons of Anarchy and the Reddit AMA, but I'd say he's a prospect.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Tue May 19, 2015 4:11 pm

The tats could also be a remnant of a stay in the prison system. Lots of white guys will join the skinhead/Aryan groups in prison, despite not actually being the least bit racist. They do it simply for protection - if you aren't in a group, you're a target.

LawBeefaroni · Post by **LawBeefaroni** » Tue May 19, 2015 4:34 pm

Blackhawk wrote:The tats could also be a remnant of a stay in the prison system. Lots of white guys will join the skinhead/Aryan groups in prison, despite not actually being the least bit racist. They do it simply for protection - if you aren't in a group, you're a target.

My guess as well.

LawBeefaroni wrote: The tattoo is probably from prison Aryan brotherhood affiliation.

cheeba · Post by **cheeba** » Tue May 19, 2015 4:41 pm

Smoove_B wrote:
McNutt wrote:I just noticed the guy on the right is sporting an SS badge too.
From the internets:

Frequently, additional patches may involve symbols, such as the use of the Nazi version swastikas or the SS death's head. These generally do not indicate Nazi sympathies, but serve to express the outlaw biker's total rejection of social constraints, and desire for the shock value among those who fail to understand the biker way.

So they totally reject social constraints... by joining a social club, which no doubt has its own set of constraints.

McNutt · Post by **McNutt** » Tue May 19, 2015 4:41 pm

This outlaw mentality is so foreign to me. I guess for some the desire to not conform with The Man is strong enough to adopt a lifestyle that is not going to bring them wealth and will most likely place them in mortal danger and in prison. I read somewhere that the majority of drug dealers make less than minimum wage, yet they still risk everything for that money and the hopes that they will advance enough to be the guy driving the Cadillac. I don't think biker gangs have such dreams because they know it's not going to happen. They're leader probably lives in a modest house. The kind of house they could easily afford with a job and without looking over their shoulder.