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Police: 'Uninvited' rival gang sparked biker shootout

According to a law enforcement bulletin obtained by WFAA-TV in Dallas, tensions were increasing in recent months between the Bandidos and Cossacks biker gangs due to “Cossacks members refusing to pay Bandidos dues for operating in Texas and for claiming Texas as their territory by wearing the Texas bottom rocker” on their jackets.
According to a law enforcement bulletin obtained by WFAA-TV in Dallas, tensions were increasing in recent months between the Bandidos and Cossacks biker gangs due to “Cossacks members refusing to pay Bandidos dues for operating in Texas and for claiming Texas as their territory by wearing the Texas bottom rocker” on their jackets.
By Nicole Chavez
May 19, 2015

Police said a “turf war” that turned into a deadly shooting began after one biker gang arrived uninvited to a Waco, Texas, restaurant on Sunday.

A coalition of biker gang members had rented out an outdoor area of Twin Peaks for a meeting when one biker gang unexpectedly showed up in the parking lot, Sgt. Patrick Swanton said.

“It was sort of a turf war,” he said.

Police have filed charges of engaging in organized criminal activity against 170 people — including a City of Austin employee — in connection with the bloody gunfight on Sunday.

Federal, state and local agencies are collaborating for the investigation to process the hundreds of evidence inside and outside the restaurant, Swanton said.

Authorities have recovered about 100 weapons, including knifes and firearms. Also, 135 motorcycles have been recovered and will be taken to a secure location, police said.

Police believe three to four of the 22 police and state officers at the scene fired shots. But officials are still waiting for autopsy reports and ballistic tests to confirm their involvement, Swanton said.

The names of the nine victims are expected to be released on Tuesday.

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