WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Police officers from several cities and deputies from the McLennan County Sheriff's Office were surrounding the Twin Peaks Restaurant, in the Central Texas Market Place after several people were reported shot during a rival motorcycle gang fight, Waco police stated.
UPDATE: Anarchy in Waco. Nine bikers killed in Sunday shooting. #khou11 Photo: @KCENNews http://t.co/4vPtweCWfc pic.twitter.com/2Z2IVJ1P7C
— The Bishop (@BillBishopKHOU) May 17, 2015
"Multiple injuries to include multiple fatalities at Twin Peaks Shooting. Officers were on scene when shooting started. No officers have been injured," the Waco Police Department said in a statement.
9 dead after Texas biker gang shooting: Waco police http://t.co/KCSUe5vWzj pic.twitter.com/HDxBm9dAQt
— Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) May 17, 2015
According to local media reports, the armed standoff between biker gang members at a restaurant parking lot led to nine deaths, all of them presumably gang members.
WACO, TEXAS MASS SHOOTING: • 9 dead • Many injured • 2 bike gangs • @WacoPolice fear more retaliation pic.twitter.com/e9LyFqOrkV
— Silver Surfer (@RobPulseNews) May 17, 2015
Gang members were shooting at each other and officers at the scene fired their weapons, as well, Swanton said.
An earlier Waco PD message advised the public to avoid the Central Texas Market Place area while authorities were investigating the incident.
Sunday afternoon's deadly shootout reportedly occurred between three rival motorcycle gangs.