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WACO, Texas (AP) — Police say they were already on the scene but couldn't prevent a deadly fight from breaking out among at least three rival biker gangs at a restaurant in Waco, Texas.
The violence erupted shortly after noon at Twin Peaks restaurant along Interstate 35 that draws a large lunchtime crowd. Waco police Sgt. Patrick Swanton says it started with fists and quickly escalated to chains and knives before guns were drawn.
Eight people died at the scene and another person at a hospital. Swanton tells the Waco Tribune-Herald that all nine killed were members of biker gangs. Eighteen other people were taken to hospitals with injuries that include stab and gunshot wounds.
Swanton says police were aware in advance that the gangs would be gathering at the restaurant and at least 12 Waco officers in addition to state troopers were there. He says officers shot armed bikers as the gunfight spilled outside of the restaurant. He says the actions of law enforcement prevented further deaths. It's not known if any of the nine dead were killed by police officers.
Swanton says three armed gang members were arrested when they attempted to enter the shooting scene to retaliate against rival gang members.
%@AP Links
178-c-12-(David Warren, AP correspondent)-"noon Central Time"-AP correspondent Dave Warren reports a shootout in central Texas has killed at least nine people. ((watch for dating)) (17 May 2015)
<<CUT *178 (05/17/15)££ 00:12 "noon Central Time"
179-c-13-(David Warren, AP correspondent)-"it certainly did"-AP correspondent Dave Warren reports Waco police say there were at least three gangs involved in the deadly altercation at the restaurant. (17 May 2015)
<<CUT *179 (05/17/15)££ 00:13 "it certainly did"
180-c-09-(David Warren, AP correspondent)-"the parking lot"-AP correspondent Dave Warren reports it began as a fist-fight between rival gang members inside a restaurant in Waco. (17 May 2015)
<<CUT *180 (05/17/15)££ 00:09 "the parking lot"
181-c-16-(David Warren, AP correspondent)-"some old scores"-AP correspondent Dave Warren reports authorities were watching for signs of continuing fighting among gang members. (17 May 2015)
<<CUT *181 (05/17/15)££ 00:16 "some old scores"
193-a-04-(Sergeant Patrick Swanton, Waco Police Department, at news conference)-"shooting at Twin Peaks"-Waco Police Sergeant Patrick Swanton says many lives were lost in a fight and shootout between rival biker gangs. COURTESY: KXXV TV ((mandatory on-air credit)) ((watch for dating)) (17 May 2015)
<<CUT *193 (05/17/15)££ 00:04 "shooting at Twin Peaks"
194-a-15-(Sergeant Patrick Swanton, Waco Police Department, at news conference)-"of their wounds"-Waco Police Sergeant Patrick Swanton says at least 18 people were injured in the gunfight. COURTESY: KXXV TV ((mandatory on-air credit)) ((watch for dating)) (17 May 2015)
<<CUT *194 (05/17/15)££ 00:15 "of their wounds"
195-a-07-(Sergeant Patrick Swanton, Waco Police Department, at news conference)-"in to shop"-Waco Police Sergeant Patrick Swanton says Waco Police Sergeant Patrick Swanton says shops have been closed in the marketplace where the shooting took place. COURTESY: KXXV TV ((mandatory on-air credit)) (17 May 2015)
<<CUT *195 (05/17/15)££ 00:07 "in to shop"
APPHOTO TXWAC115: Law enforcement officers investigate the parking lot of a Twin Peaks restaurant Sunday, May 17, 2015, in Waco, Texas. Waco Police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton told KWTX-TV there were "multiple victims" after gunfire erupted between rival biker gangs at the restaurant. (Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP) (17 May 2015)
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APPHOTO TXWAC114: Bikers congregate against a wall while authorities investigate a Twin Peaks restaurant Sunday, May 17, 2015, in Waco, Texas. Waco Police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton told KWTX-TV there were "multiple victims" after gunfire erupted between rival biker gangs at the restaurant. (Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP) (17 May 2015)
<<APPHOTO TXWAC114 (05/17/15)££
APPHOTO TXWAC102: A McLennan County deputy stands guard near a group of bikers in the parking lot of a Twin Peaks restaurant Sunday, May 17, 2015, in Waco, Texas. Waco Police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton told KWTX-TV there were "multiple victims" after gunfire erupted between rival biker gangs at the restaurant. (Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP) (17 May 2015)
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APPHOTO TXWAC107: Bikers wait in a line as law enforcement officers investigate the parking lot of a Twin Peaks restaurant Sunday, May 17, 2015, in Waco, Texas. Waco Police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton told KWTX-TV there were "multiple victims" after gunfire erupted between rival biker gangs at the restaurant. (Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP) (17 May 2015)
<<APPHOTO TXWAC107 (05/17/15)££
APPHOTO TXWAC110: Authorities block an access road as an investigation continues near a Twin Peaks restaurant Sunday, May 17, 2015, in Waco, Texas. Waco Police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton told KWTX-TV there were "multiple victims" after gunfire erupted between rival biker gangs at the restaurant. (Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune-Herald via AP) (17 May 2015)
<<APPHOTO TXWAC110 (05/17/15)££
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