Police in the US state of Texas say nine people have been killed and at least 100 arrested after a shootout between rival biker gangs in Waco.<\/p>\n
The incident happened at the Twin Peaks Sports Bar and Grill in a shopping area called the Central Texas Market Place.<\/p>\n
Police said eight had died at the scene and a ninth in hospital – all were bikers. At least 18 others were hurt.<\/p>\n
One witness quoted by the Waco Tribune-Herald said the car park of the restaurant resembled “a war zone”.<\/p>\n
“There were maybe 30 guns being fired in the parking lot, maybe 100 rounds,” Michelle Logan said.<\/p>\n
Diners at the Twin Peaks cafe said they and the staff had locked themselves in a freezer room for safety before being escorted off the premises by armed Police.<\/p>\n
‘Dangerous and hostile’
\nWaco police said the shooting happened shortly after midday when rival gangs got into a fight, apparently over parking space near the restaurant. Up to five gangs were involved.<\/p>\n
Police spokesman Sgt W Patrick Swanton said the fight started with punches and then escalated to chains, clubs, knives and finally firearms.<\/p>\n
“This is probably one of the most gruesome crime scenes I’ve ever seen in my 34 years of law enforcement,” he said.<\/p>\n
Police knew the meeting was going on, and officers moved in as soon as the shooting started.<\/p>\n
McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara later said all nine who were killed were members of the Banditos or Cossacks gangs, according to the Associated Press news agency.<\/p>\n
“These are very dangerous hostile biker gangs,” Sgt Swanton said. “A lot of innocent people could have been injured today.”<\/p>\n
One witness said he and his family had just finished finished their lunch and walked into the parking lot when they heard gunshots.<\/p>\n
“We crouched down in front of our pick-up truck because that was the only cover we had,” the witness – who asked not to be named – was quoted as saying.<\/p>\n
Sgt Swanton said there were concerns that groups involved in the shooting may have moved to other locations in and around Waco.<\/p>\n
Several nearby roads were closed, and police asked residents to avoid the area until an all-clear was issued.<\/p>\n
Waco police said no officers had been injured in the shooting.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Source: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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