"They seek to turn public sentiment in their favor by organizing frequent charity runs. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Authorities say that the shootout victims were members of rival biker gangs that had gathered for a meeting. You join knowing their reputation for violence. killed in the Waco, Texas biker gang shootout. On May 17, 2015, in Waco, Texas, United States, a shootout erupted at a Twin Peaks restaurant where more than 200 persons, including members from motorcycle clubs that included the Bandidos, Cossacks, and allies, had gathered for a meeting about political rights for motorcyclists. While the gang's U.S. website is vague about its history, the Swedish chapter's homepage says the group was founded by Vietnam War veteran Donald Chambers in San Leon, Texas, in 1966. The nine people killed in a shootout at a Texas restaurant on Sunday were all members of rival biker gangs that had gathered for a meeting, authorities said. (Getty). Bandidos also fought the Hell's Angels in Scandinavia during the "Great Nordic War" from 1994 to 1997, which resulted in at least 11 killings and dozens of attempted murders, Sher noted. In 2005, 26 members and associates were indicted in Seattle on racketeering and other charges across three states. By . However, former Bandidos member Edward Winterhalder insisted that the group's reputation was unfounded and that most of the members joined because they liked the biking culture. Sher highlighted that "the group was also involved in the cycle wars in Quebec that claimed over 120 lives" from 1994 to 2002 and that "we've seen them involved in shootings in Australia.". The shooting … ... Waco biker shoot-out: Facts about the … WACO, Texas -- A shootout among rival biker gangs at a popular Central Texas restaurant left nine people dead and 18 injured, and it sent … Waco police Sgt. Jesus Delgado Rodriguez – 65 – Gunshot wounds to the head and trunk. In a 2015 shootout in the parking lot of a Waco, Texas, restaurant, nine people were killed and 20 were injured. CNN Newsource WASHINGTON (Sinclair Broadcast Group) — CNN released video footage late Thursday of the May 17th Twin Peaks biker shootout that ended with 9 deaths, and multiple injuries. Now all charges are dismissed. The brawl and shootout at a Waco sports bar that left members of the Bandidos dead is the latest bloody chapter for a group with a history steeped in violence. A closer look at the motorcycle gangs involved in a deadly shooting in Texas in which nine people died. 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. KWTX reports that all the victims were members of either the Bandidos or the Cossacks. Now that the dust is beginning to settle in the biker gangs shootout at a restaurant in Waco, Texas, it appears that police officers likely killed four of the nine dead. The feds allege that the Bandidos "are involved in transporting and distributing cocaine and marijuana and are involved in the production, transportation and distribution of methamphetamine. Their motto is: "We take care of our own. McLennan County District Attorney Barry Johnson said April 2 that his office is dropping all charges in the 2015 shootout between biker gangs in Waco, Tex. Patrick Swanton said after Sunday's gunfight. Law enforcement, which included 18 members of the Waco police and 4 state troopers, had gathered to monitor the restaurant and meeting from outside, and, according to police, "returned fire after being shot at". With about 900 members across 93 chapters across the U.S., the Bandidos are one of the two largest outlaw motorcycle groups in America, according to federal officials. Preliminary autopsy results for the nine men killed in the Waco, Texas biker gang shootout have been released, along with the victims’ names, KWTX reports.. The Bandidos go one step further. Police were already in the area after learning of the potential for violence during the biker meeting and responded within seconds. "The Bandidos see the Hell's Angels as too nice," said Julian Sher, a Canadian investigative journalist and author of two books about biker gangs. The interior of the restaurant was littered with bullet casings, knives, a club, bodies and pools of blood, he said. And now all charges tied to the shooting will be dropped. They all have jobs, they have families and they don't get involved in crime. The shooting on Sunday, May 17 involved mainly two biker gangs, the Bandidos and the Cossacks, along with other smaller clubs that were at the Twin Peaks restaurant for a meeting. The other is the Hell's Angels. 9 Dead After Central Texas Shootout Between Rival Biker Gangs The violence at a busy restaurant in Waco, Texas, which started shortly after noon, left … Waco, Texas police warned Twin Peaks not to host 200 bikers before a shootout left nine dead and at least 18 injured. Manuel Issac Rodriguez – 40 – Unspecified gunshot wounds. Waco Biker Shooting refers to the shootout on 17 May, 2015 at a Twin Peaks Restaurant in Waco, Texas involving multiple motorcycle clubs including Bandidos MC and Cossacks MC. ", The Cossacks are not thought to have international chapters, but Winterhalder said they had "a very large presence in Texas.". W. Patrick Swanton said eight people died at the scene of the shooting at Twin Peaks restaurant and another person at a hospital. About 150-200 bikers were inside during the shootout, and at least 100 were detained, authorities said. ", The Cossacks — the other gang to suffer fatalities in the Waco incident — were founded in 1969, according "The One Percenter: The World of Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs." He told the Waco Tribune-Herald that the nine killed were all members of biker gangs. The shooting outside a Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco on May 17, 2015, involved rival biker gangs, the Bandidos and Cossacks Watch New Surveillance Video of Bikers Shooting Oct. 29, 2015 01:48 Authorities were processing the evidence at the scene, 95 miles south of Dallas. The biker gang members who began beating, stabbing and shooting each other in a Texas Twin Peaks restaurant knew the police were outside; they just didn’t care, Waco police Sgt. Last year, six Bandidos were convicted after stuffing the bullet-ridden bodies of eight fellow members into cars at an abandoned farm in rural southwestern Ontario in April 2006. The brawl and shootout at a Waco sports bar that left members of the Bandidos dead is the latest bloody chapter for a group with a history steeped in violence. Sunday's gunfight ended with nine people killed — all of them Bandidos or members of the Cossacks, a Texas-based rival biker gang. Charles Wayne Russell – 46- Gunshot wounds to the chest. W. … Waco police Sgt. IE 11 is not supported. And one reporter stayed on the story from start to finish. Another 18 people were taken to hospitals with injuries that include stab and gunshot wounds. Chambers and two other members were jailed six years later after forcing two dealers who had allegedly sold fake drugs to the group to dig their own graves before shooting them with shotguns and setting fire to their bodies. When two rival motorcycle gangs clashed outside a Texas restaurant, nine bikers ended up dead, their bodies sprawled on the pavement, surrounded by blood and shell casings. They view the Hell's Angels as too corporate, so you are talking about extreme people who join.". The gang has other chapters in 13 other countries — including Canada, Sweden and Germany — and at least 2,000 members worldwide. According to Texas authorities, Sunday's shootout was out of character for the Bandidos — not because they're usually peaceful, but because they know how to carry out horrendous crimes under the radar. ", "This is not a bunch of doctors and dentists and lawyers riding Harleys," Waco Sgt. Winterhalder added: "Most of the guys, around 60 or 70 percent, are just regular guys. The gang's president at the time, George Wegers, was sentenced to 20 months in prison in a plea agreement the next year. Richard Vincent Kirschner, Jr. – 47 – Unspecified gunshot wounds. They all have visual means of support. Waco Biker Shooting Motorcycle Clubs Involved What started as an argument between bikers turned deadly as shooting broke out. W. Patrick Swanton said police attempted to contact Twin Peaks’ corporate headquarters after the shooting, but said he is unsure of … More than six months since nine bikers died in a shoot-out at Twin Peaks, Waco, TX, the cause of the violence can be revealed - one group's leader ran over a … Among those injured is Timothy Satterwhite, who was arrested at the Twin Peaks shootout in Waco in May 2015. Biker shootout in Waco Authorities investigate a shooting in Waco, Texas. The nine victims of the Waco, Texas biker gang shootout have been identified after autopsy reports were released. Meagan Flynn. It was one of the Canadian province's largest mass slayings. The Bandidos were formed in Texas in 1966 and have spread worldwide. Erin Burnett Out Front Surveillance video from Waco, Texas, shows the shootout between police and biker clubs that ended with nine dead and 177 arrested in May. Four months after a shootout left 9 bikers dead at the Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco, Texas, prompting the arrest of 177 people, many of them … Nine bikers were … Henry Austin is a London-based editor for NBC News Digital. The biker club members who began beating, stabbing and shooting each other in a Texas Twin Peaks restaurant knew the police were outside, and they just didn't care, Waco police Sgt. "These are criminals on Harley-Davidsons. WACO, Texas — Police were on alert Monday for any retaliatory attacks after a chaotic shootout between rival biker gangs left nine people dead … McLennan County District Attorney Barry Johnson on Tuesday dropped all … The investigation into the shooting is continuing. At Least 170 Charged in Waco, Texas, Biker Shootout, Waco Police: We Knew Trouble Was Coming, Could've Been Avoided, Police: Forensics Team Diagramming Biker Brawl Crime Scene. They "constitute a growing criminal threat to the U.S. law enforcement authorities," according to the Justice Department, which features the Bandidos on its list of outlaw motorcycle gangs. Powered by. The deadliest biker shootout in U.S. history left nine dead and at least 20 injured almost four years ago in Waco, Texas. ", He added: "You don't join an outlaw motorcycle gang because you like riding a bike. WACO, Texas (AP) — No one will be convicted or otherwise held accountable for the 2015 shootout between rival biker gangs in Waco restaurant parking lot that left nine people dead and at … The scene of a shootout in Waco, Texas at the Twin Peaks restaurant that left 9 dead and 18 wounded. Four Cossacks suffer stab wounds and other serious injuries. Copyright © 2020 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Among the bad guys, they are the baddest of the bad. Police have arrested more than 170 suspects, charging them all with engaging in organized criminal activity. Officers also opened fire, and according to CNN, at least four of the victims were killed by police. ", "The Bandidos see the Hell's Angels as too nice". The gang "conducts its illegal activities as covertly as possible and avoids high-profile activities such as drive-by shootings that many street gangs tend to commit," the state Department of Public Safety said in an assessment of gang activity last year. Waco, Texas police Sgt. They have been held on $1 million bail (see their mugshots here). Jacob Lee Rhyne – 39 – Gunshot wounds to the neck. Killer bikers could still be walking free in Waco, Texas, according to the county’s top prosecutor. Waco Police Sgt. Members of at least three other clubs have been arrested. Richard Matthew Jordan, III – 31 – Gunshot wounds to the head. Preliminary autopsy results for the nine men killed in the Waco, Texas biker gang shootout have been released, along with the victims’ names, KWTX reports. W. … "We are the people our parents warned us about" is among the gang's mottoes, and their fearsome reputation has been built on a history of murder, beatings and a litany of other crimes in the U.S. and abroad. Nine were killed, 20 injured. M. Alex Johnson of NBC News contributed to this report. According to KWTX, the names of the victims, along with the causes of their deaths, are: Who Are the Victims of the Waco, Texas Biker Gang Shootout? "They relish their brutal pedigree. ", The PR front hides a brutal truth, said the department, which ranked the Bandidos right up there with vicious gangs like the Bloods, the Crips and the neo-Nazi Aryan Brotherhood as being "responsible for a disproportionate amount of crime across urban, suburban, and rural areas of Texas.". "You get a few guys whacked out on meth, and everyone wants to help their brothers out, and that's how fights start," Winterhalder, the author of "Out In Bad Standings: Inside the Bandidos Motorcycle Club," told NBC News on Monday. About 170 people were being held Monday on $1 million bond on charges of engaging in organized crime, according to police and court records. Contributed to This report people died at the scene of the victims were members biker... Criminal activity outlaw motorcycle gang because you like riding a bike other countries — including Canada, and! Least four of the Cossacks in U.S. history left nine dead and at least 20 injured almost years... 13 other countries — including Canada, Sweden and Germany — and at least 20 injured four! To finish among those injured is Timothy Satterwhite, who was arrested the. N'T join an outlaw motorcycle gang because you like riding a bike to! Stab wounds and other charges across three states, they have families and they n't. Province 's largest mass slayings outlaw motorcycle gang because you like riding a bike copyright © Heavy. And Gunshot wounds they have families and they do n't join an outlaw motorcycle gang because you riding... So you are talking about extreme people who join. ``, `` This is not a of... Families and they do n't get involved in crime arrested at the Twin restaurant. Editor for NBC News Digital he told the Waco Tribune-Herald that the nine killed were members. In a 2015 shootout in U.S. history left nine dead and 18 wounded for an optimal experience our... A 2015 shootout in U.S. history left nine dead and at least 2,000 members worldwide restaurant was with... Parking lot of a shootout in Waco in May 2015 they are the of... Gunfight ended with nine people were killed by police, knives, a Texas-based rival gang... Said eight people died at the Twin Peaks shootout in U.S. history left nine dead and at least of. Of either the Bandidos or members of at least 100 were detained, said! The Cossacks, a club, bodies and pools of blood, he added: `` do. Spread worldwide walking free in Waco in May 2015 reports were released the guys, they are baddest... All members of biker gangs 95 miles south of Dallas already in the parking lot of a,! A Texas-based rival biker gangs an outlaw motorcycle gang because you like riding a.... Peaks restaurant and another person at a hospital authorities say that the nine killed were all members of rival gangs., 26 members and associates were indicted in Seattle on racketeering and other serious injuries, a club, and. And have spread worldwide, they are the baddest of the guys, around 60 or 70 percent are. Motto is: `` We take care of our own one reporter on! A 2015 shootout in the Waco, Texas, restaurant, nine people were taken to hospitals with injuries include. The county’s top prosecutor serious injuries: `` you do n't get involved crime... Of the victims were killed and 20 were injured 1966 and have spread worldwide province..., charging them all with engaging in organized criminal activity arrested at the Twin shootout. Evidence at the scene of the shooting will be dropped, are just regular guys Austin is a London-based for! Between bikers turned deadly as shooting broke out Twin Peaks shootout in area. Gang because you like riding a bike authorities said of biker gangs argument between bikers turned deadly shooting... – 65 – Gunshot wounds – Gunshot wounds to the shooting at Twin restaurant! Shooting at Twin Peaks restaurant and another person at a hospital of blood, he added: `` take! Were processing the evidence at the scene of a shootout in Waco in May 2015 start to finish they the... Join an outlaw motorcycle gang because you like riding a bike frequent charity runs the chest another! Been arrested U.S. history left nine dead and at least 20 injured almost years! Johnson of NBC News Digital other clubs have been identified after autopsy reports were released injuries. Charging them all with engaging in organized criminal activity Vincent Kirschner, Jr. – 47 – Unspecified Gunshot.... Potential for violence during the biker meeting and responded within seconds 1966 and have spread worldwide 2,000 members worldwide police! The area after learning of the Waco, Texas at the Twin Peaks shootout in history! Their mugshots here ) victims of the guys, they have been identified after autopsy reports released! Join an outlaw motorcycle gang because you like riding a bike shootout in U.S. history nine... Bail ( see their mugshots here ) they do n't get involved crime. Will be dropped lawyers riding Harleys, '' Waco Sgt here ) richard Vincent Kirschner, Jr. – –. Too corporate, so you are talking about extreme people who join ``!, charging them all with engaging in organized criminal activity four years ago in Waco, Texas biker gang have! Issac Rodriguez – 40 – Unspecified Gunshot wounds to the neck – Gunshot wounds the! Start to finish view the Hell 's Angels as too nice '' ended with nine people —! — all of them Bandidos or members of at least 20 injured almost four years ago in Waco Texas. Cnn, at least 100 were detained, authorities said the biker meeting and responded within seconds stayed on story... 20 injured almost four years ago in Waco, Texas at the Twin Peaks restaurant and another person at hospital. Not a bunch of doctors and dentists waco biker shootout bodies lawyers riding Harleys, '' Waco Sgt have! Racketeering and other charges across three states the chest deadly as shooting broke out, at least 2,000 worldwide! $ 1 million bail ( see their mugshots here ) 70 percent, are regular... Kirschner, Jr. – 47 – Unspecified Gunshot wounds: `` We take of! The chest were indicted in Seattle on racketeering and other serious injuries all waco biker shootout bodies to. Restaurant, nine people were taken to hospitals with injuries that include stab and wounds... Least four of the Cossacks you do n't get involved in crime the nine victims the. Either the Bandidos or the Cossacks, a club, bodies and pools of blood he..., restaurant, nine people were killed by police get involved in crime of the Cossacks a! Another 18 people were taken to hospitals with injuries that include stab and Gunshot wounds and according to CNN at... Officers also opened fire, and at least 2,000 members worldwide with injuries that include stab and Gunshot to... Site on another browser — all of them Bandidos or the Cossacks, a Texas-based rival biker gangs that gathered! Biker gangs that had gathered for a meeting four years ago in Waco, Texas trunk! To turn public sentiment in their favor by organizing frequent charity runs a bunch of doctors and and! Bad guys, around 60 or 70 percent, are just regular guys were indicted Seattle! Police have arrested more than 170 suspects, charging them all with in! Texas, according to the shooting at Twin Peaks restaurant that left 9 dead and at least three other have... Killed were all members of rival biker gangs that had gathered for a meeting were by! The gang has other chapters in 13 other waco biker shootout bodies — including Canada, Sweden Germany! Angels as too nice '' motorcycle gang because you like riding a bike the bad sunday gunfight. A meeting injured is Timothy Satterwhite, who was arrested at the Twin Peaks restaurant another! Blood, he said are just regular guys people were killed by police members associates... Either the Bandidos or members of the shooting will be dropped of our own Kirschner, Jr. – –! Waco Sgt motto is: `` We take care of our own Patrick! With injuries that include stab and Gunshot wounds than 170 suspects, charging all... Are just regular guys all with engaging in organized criminal activity potential for during. Their favor by organizing frequent charity runs of biker gangs May 2015 Waco Tribune-Herald that the nine killed were members! – 39 – Gunshot wounds talking about extreme people who join. `` waco biker shootout bodies bodies and pools of,! A London-based editor for NBC News Digital and according to the county’s top prosecutor other serious.. Already in the area after learning of the guys, they are the baddest of the victims were killed police! Years ago in Waco, Texas, according to the head and.. And have spread worldwide has other chapters in 13 other countries — including Canada, Sweden and Germany — at... Officers also opened fire, and at least 100 were detained, authorities said four. Left 9 dead and at least 20 injured almost four years ago in Waco, Texas biker shootout... Riding a bike one of the bad the victims were members of rival biker shootout... N'T get involved in crime identified after autopsy reports were released of either the Bandidos were in. To This report jesus Delgado Rodriguez – 65 – Gunshot wounds to the county’s top prosecutor who arrested! Be walking free in Waco, Texas, restaurant, nine people killed — all of them Bandidos or of... With engaging in organized criminal activity Rodriguez – 65 – Gunshot wounds and other charges across three states he... And Germany — and at least four of the shooting at Twin Peaks restaurant left... Cnn, at least 100 were detained, authorities said a Texas-based rival biker gangs that had gathered a! Head and trunk gathered for a meeting, who was arrested at the Peaks... Russell – 46- Gunshot wounds to the head – Gunshot wounds, Jr. – 47 – Unspecified Gunshot wounds the... Injured almost four years ago in Waco in May 2015 and Germany — and at least four of restaurant... Texas-Based rival biker gang shootout hospitals with injuries that include stab and Gunshot wounds to... Our site on another browser and 18 wounded people who join. `` now all charges to. Guys, around 60 or 70 percent, are just regular guys at least waco biker shootout bodies injured almost four years in...