SOA in Real LIfe

[OJsDad]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/texas-shootout-among-rival-biker-gangs-leaves-9-dead/ar-BBjTT5e#image=1

Texas shootout among rival biker gangs leaves 9 dead

WACO, Texas (AP) — A shootout among rival biker gangs at a popular Texas restaurant left nine people dead and 18 others injured, a police spokesman said on Sunday, sending panicked patrons and bystanders fleeing for safety.

The violence erupted shortly after noon at a busy Waco marketplace along Interstate 35 that draws a large lunchtime crowd. Waco, Texas 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. He told the Waco Tribune-Herald that the nine killed were all members of biker gangs.

Another 18 people were taken to hospitals with injuries that include stab and gunshot wounds. Some victims are being treated for both, he said.

"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 appeared to be 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, adding that the actions of law enforcement prevented further deaths. It was not known if any of the nine dead were killed by police officers.

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.

Attempts to contact Twin Peaks for comment were not immediately successful.

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.

Three armed gang members were arrested when they attempted to enter the shooting scene to retaliate against rival members, he said. Authorities are increasing security in the area to prevent further violence among the gangs.

In addition to local and state police, the federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) was also on the scene, according to its official twitter account.

[Staggerwing]

I read about this. Supposedly the cops got wind of this ahead of time and had pre-positioned a number of units nearby for this very possibility. Makes you wonder how much worse it could have been otherwise, especially for the diners and bystanders.

[Steelgrave]

Fortunately, not a single bystander was injured according to news reports. Virtually everyone inside the restaurant was either staff, which took cover, or 1%er club members. This was some real SoA stuff gone down. Apparently the owner of the Twin Peaks where the shooting took place is likely to have had his franchise revoked by the company after the incident.

[LongBlade]

Fortunately, not a single bystander was injured according to news reports.

This.

I still haven't read why it happened, though I suspect my imagination can come close to filling in the blanks.

[Steelgrave]

Fortunately, not a single bystander was injured according to news reports.

This.

I still haven't read why it happened, though I suspect my imagination can come close to filling in the blanks.

The meeting was supposedly over turf and recruitment. Clearly a consensus was not reached. That's likely all we will ever know, since talking with LE is discouraged in the strongest possible terms.

[BanzaiCat]

Fortunately, not a single bystander was injured according to news reports.

This.

Well, THAT'S certainly good to know. The friggin' stupid local news didn't comment on whom exactly was hurt or dead. I know close to 200 is a large total to get details on, but that's always bugged me about them, being light on the details and avoiding the basics of journalism.

Good thing it was just these idiots that went on to meet their maker. More power to them. The cops should just go herd these morons into a Thunderdome and put a pile of weapons in the middle and let them destroy each other. Come to think of it, that's the best solution for any gang idiots. Put it on Pay-Per-View and you have a billion-dollar idea in the works, with the leeches and scum of society getting offed in the process. Everybody wins.

I hate to sound so callus, but I'm sick of this kind of stupidity.

[Centurion40]

Fortunately, not a single bystander was injured according to news reports.

This.

I still haven't read why it happened, though I suspect my imagination can come close to filling in the blanks.

The meeting was supposedly over turf and recruitment. Clearly a consensus was not reached. That's likely all we will ever know, since talking with LE is discouraged in the strongest possible terms.

Apparently the Cossacks started wearing a "Texas" bottom rocker, and that didn't sit well with the Bandidos.



The Bandidos, a large international 1% group, see Texas as their turf.  They could care less if another 1% MC wears colours, so long as they don't sport a bottom rocker naming Bandidos turf.  As I understand it, there were a series of incidents (one group harassing or beating the crap out of members of the other group, and then returning the favour) that lead to the Cossacks challenging Bandido "authority" over Texas.

Obviously the "sit-down" to resolve the issues didn't end well.  This whole mess will not be settled until either the Cossacks drop the Texas rocker, or the Cossacks drive the Bandidos out of Texas.  The former is more probable than the latter.

[BanzaiCat]

Or until both groups suddenly grow up and stop acting like stupid tantrum-fueled children. Or drop dead. Either goal is a good one in this case.

[Centurion40]

Or until both groups suddenly grow up and stop acting like stupid tantrum-fueled children. Or drop dead. Either goal is a good one in this case.

As the saying goes, you can hope in one hand and poop in the other.... 

[GDS_Starfury]

[Centurion40]

Tequila!

[JasonPratt]

When two Texas motorcycle gangs off each other, the terrorists win.