Waco police call for truce after deadly biker violence

WACO, Texas — Police on Tuesday asked for a truce among rival motorcycle gangs following the explosion of violence at a local restaurant that left nine people dead.

"We would ask that there be some kind of truce between whatever motorcycle gangs are involved," police spokesman Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton said. "We would encourage them to try and be a little peaceful and let the violence stop."

Swanton has warned since Sunday's shootout at the Twin Peaks restaurant that more bikers could be headed to the central Texas city, possible seeking revenge against police or rival gangs. He called the threat "credible."

He added that the threats had "toned down" since Monday, saying he hoped it was in response to the police request that motorcyclists keep their bikes off the streets.

"Are we asking for help from criminal biker gangs? Absolutely we are," Swanton said, but he added that the violence is "most likely not" over.

Preliminary autopsy reports show the fatalities,were men between 27 and 65 — and that all died of gunshot wounds. The suspects, 170 of them, face charges of engaging in organized crime. Some could ultimately face capital murder charges, which in Texas could mean the death penalty.

Swanton said the violence began at a meeting of bikers when members of an uninvited motorcycle gang apparently crashed the party. Swanton, who previously said the fight started in the restaurant bathroom, said Tuesday the first skirmish may have taken place in the parking lot. He said the altercation may have started when someone's foot was run over.

Swanton said the first group of bikers had reserved an outdoor area of the restaurant. Investigators found blood and other evidence in that area, plus the bar and bathroom areas of the restaurant, he said. The bodies were found outside, in or near the parking lot where most of the violence took place.

That is also where police engaged the gangs. Swanton said it was not yet determined how many, if any, of the victims had been shot by officers. Seven people remain hospitalized, he added.

Police on Tuesday continued processing the area immediately around the Twin Peaks restaurant. The adjacent parking lot remained closed, as did exit ramps to the strip mall from I-35.

ATF with police dogs searched trucks in the parking lot as police in tactical gear patrolled nearby. Large stores adjacent to the parking lot, including Best Buy, Office Depot and Bed Bath & Beyond, remained closed.

A nearby Harley Davidson dealership remained closed for the second day this week, with a Waco police cruiser stationed out front.

Angela Yepez, 32, lives just four blocks away from the murder scene with her husband and four children, ages 8 to 17.

On Tuesday, she was shopping at the nearby Kohl's store. She said she still felt Waco was a safe city. For now, however, she was being extra cautious, like having her children stay home as much as possible.

This was the worst violent outbreak she remembers in Waco since the 1993 Branch Davidian compound drive, she said.

"It's pretty scary that other bikers are coming here," Yepez said. "I've been here all my life and I've never seen anything quite like this before."

Bertha Roesch, 60, of nearby Light, Texas, said Sunday's incident shouldn't put a bad light on Waco.

"It happens everywhere, not just here," she said as she shopped in a strip mall just a few hundred feet from the crime scene. "They're everywhere."

Bacon reported from McLean, Va.