At least 9 dead after gang shootout in Waco, Texas

Nine motorcycle gang members were killed and 18 injured after a gunfight broke out in Waco, Texas, on Sunday afternoon.

Police say the incident took place at a "gang recruitment" event at the Twin Peaks Restaurant, USA Today reports, and it started as a fist fight inside of the bathroom. Three rival gangs were involved, and the fight escalated from throwing punches to swinging chains, and ultimately a shootout.

Waco police Sgt. W Patrick Swanton said that police had asked the restaurant's management to stop the gathering from happening, but they would not cooperate. "What happened here today could have been avoided if we'd had management at a local establishment listen to their police department and assist us," he said. "They failed to do that and this is the event, what happened.” Police officers in the parking lot were fired upon and returned fire, but "fortunately, none of our officers, nor any of our innocent civilians, were injured in this melee here today," Swanton said. Police say they expect to recover 100 weapons from the crime scene.

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