Waco on ‘high alert’ as US gangs give go-ahead to kill cops
Following a deadly fight between bike gangs in Waco, Texas, there are growing concerns that their members could be on the way to join the fight, given the “green light” they put on police officers present at the scene.
"We are on high alert," said Waco Police spokesman Patrick Swanton on Monday as a heavy police presence was seen in the wake of the bloody shootout at a Twin Peaks restaurant.
Nearly 200 people were arrested, 170 of whom were charged with organized crime, after the gang-related clash left nine motorcycle gang members dead and 18 wounded.
Meanwhile, members of the Waco Police Department, Texas Rangers, and Texas Department of Public Safety remained on the scene heavily armed with military-style rifles and other weaponry, the Houston Chronicle reported.
According to Swanton, after intelligence reports that several gangs put "green light”, a gang-sanctioned go-ahead to kill, on the officers, there were concerns that more bikers could be heading towards the city, situated halfway between Dallas and Austin.
"We encourage those individuals not to bring criminal activity to Waco, but let it be known, if they do, we are ready," he said.
Cops with military-style rifles were also controlling the traffic and guarding key buildings including the courthouse, hospital, jail, convention center, and the shopping mall in the city, which has an estimated population of nearly 125,000.
All entrances and exits were blocked to the area where the restaurant is located in the Central Texas Market Place.
Dozens of motorcycles were still left parked side by side there.
The Bandidos and the Cossacks gangs are two of at least five gangs engaged in the Sunday clash. The two have both lost members in the incident.
The mugshots of some of the the bikers began to surface after they were arrested.
NT/NT
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