192 Bikers Face Charges in Texas Shout out

Central Waco went into lockdown as police officers began their investigation into the shoot-out

Texas police say 192 people are to face organised crime charges after the Waco bike-gang shooting that left nine people dead and 18 others injured.

The feud broke out between several gangs at a shopping district in Waco.

What started as a fist fight soon descended into a battle with knives, clubs, chains and eventually guns.

One witness described the scene as “a war zone”, while a Waco policeman called it the most gruesome scene he had encountered in his career.

The incident happened shortly after midday on Sunday at the Twin Peaks Sports Bar and Grill in a shopping area called the Central Texas Market Place.

Up to five rival gangs got into a fight, apparently over parking space near the restaurant. Diners and staff at the nearby cafe managed to lock themselves in a freezer room for safety and were later escorted off the premises by armed police.

“Twenty-five feet away there were families,” Waco police sergeant Patrick Swanton said.

“This is one of the worst gunfights we’ve ever had in the city limits. They started shooting at our officers.”

In addition to announcing the large number of arrests, Waco police department said on Monday they had temporarily closed the Twin Peaks restaurant for at least a week “due to the ongoing danger it presents to our community”.

The authorities have increased security in the area to prevent further outbreaks of violence, as there are fears some of the gang members might return.