Waco Twin Peaks says it's working with police after biker brawl

Police investigators recover a weapon from a vehicle in the Twin Peaks parking lot Tuesday in Waco. Police investigators recover a weapon from a vehicle in the Twin Peaks parking lot Tuesday in Waco. Photo: Jerry Larson, MBO Photo: Jerry Larson, MBO Image 1 of / 217 Caption Close Waco Twin Peaks says it's working with police after biker brawl 1 / 217 Back to Gallery

WACO — The Twin Peaks restaurant that was the site of a bloody biker clash issued a statement late Wednesday urging the public not to rush to judgment and saying that surveillance camera footage has been shared with police.

"We continue to be very concerned for the safety and security of everyone involved, including our patrons, staff, management, and law enforcement," the statement said. "We want to reiterate that we are horrified by this violence and express our deepest sympathy to all those impacted by it."

Meanwhile, investigators say they have collected hundreds of weapons from the scene of brawl, from pocket knives and chains to body armor and military-style firearms.

Nine people were killed, 18 injured and 170 were arrested in the incident that exploded Sunday afternoon and has left this city on edge.

"We found weapons hidden under bags of flour, in bags of chips, we found a handgun stuffed inside the toilet, we found an AK-47 in a vehicle in the parking lot and even so much as found body armor," Waco Police Sgt Patrick Swanton said as he stood outside the restaurant Wednesday.

"This isn't your church-going crowd that came out to have dinner with the family," he said. "This is gang oriented criminal element that was in our city to conduct criminal activity."

"The majority of those individuals arrested who shot, stabbed, killed were not even from our community," he said. "I think this shows the level of violence that they thought was going to go on here and knew most likely would occur."

Authorities' count of weapons found at the scene continued to fluctuate on Wednesday. Earlier in day, Swanton said 1,000 weapons were found. The estimate dropped to about 500, then to 318, Waco police told the Associated Press.

Swanton said he expects the count to keep rising.

Knives, guns, clubs and chains with locks attached to them to use to beat people were among the weapons, he said.

The violence has also led officials at upcoming biker rallies to step up security.

Authorities say they have heightened awareness for the Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally in Red River, N.M., that's expected to attract 20,000 bikers, though spillover violence isn't expected.

Red River Town Marshal David Smith says he'll tell offices to be extra vigilant.

Past attendees of the New Mexico event in the state's Enchanted Circle include members of the Bandidos, who authorities say were involved in the shootings in Waco.

The Waco battle has also elevated security concerns for the upcoming Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota.

The annual rally draws hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to South Dakota's Black Hills. Organizers are expecting up to 1 million people for the 75th anniversary event in early August.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley told the Argus Leader newspaper that his office has contacted authorities in Texas about the shootout

Jackley said the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation plans to keep a command center open longer during the rally.

Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie says officials will be "vigilant to ensure the safety" of rally-goers. But he says rally organizers aren't planning additional security beyond what the city already had planned.

Security camera video reviewed by The Associated Press shows that as gunfire broke out in the parking lot of Twin Peaks, dozens of bikers ran for cover inside and tried to guide others to safety.

The video suggests the gunfight was contained almost entirely outside the restaurant, besides one gunshot fired by a biker on the patio who then runs inside.

On the patio, bikers are seen ducking under the tables and trying to run inside. At least three people were seen holding handguns. One biker is seen running with blood on his face, hands and torso.

The AP was shown the video by representatives of the Twin Peaks restaurant franchise. They have not released the video, citing the ongoing police investigation.

Late Wednesday, Twin Peaks said it remained committed to working with and fully cooperating with law enforcement.

"We appreciate all law enforcement efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, and we recognize that local police put their lives on the line to protect our patrons and staff. For that we are truly grateful," the restaurant said.

"We are in the process of gathering additional facts, and urge that people avoid rushing to judgment before those facts are fully known."

Police have said five biker gangs from across Texas had gathered in part to settle differences over turf. But some bikers have said it was just a regular meeting to discuss legislative issues.

Among the gangs identifiable in photographs from the scene by their distinctive insignias, the Bandidos hold the most power in the state. Founded in Texas half a century ago, they have long controlled statewide markets for drugs, prostitution and extortion, turning to violence when necessary to keep out their rivals.

Numerous smaller outfits, according to experts, are aligned with the infamous Hells Angels. Such loosely affiliated gangs include the Cossacks, whose signature jackets also appear in the photographs, and who appear to be one of the principal gangs involved in the shootout.

In a Department of Public Safety memo dated May 1 and obtained by Dallas TV station WFAA, the agency warned about rising violence between the two gangs and said the rise in tension could stem from the Cossacks' refusal to pay dues to the Bandidos and for wearing the bottom rocker.

WFAA reported the bulletin said that according to the FBI, the Bandidos had talked about "going to war with Cossacks."

The DPS Tuesday would not confirm the authenticity of the memo.

Follow Dane Schiller on Twitter at twitter.com/daneschiller

The Associated Press contributed to this report.