It is this environment that bred multiple scandals at Baylor, public lynchings in Waco, the Branch Davidian siege and ongoing intolerance of groups outside the comfortable local norm, the suit claims.

Harris and Garcia, both of Travis County; and Crump and King, both of Hays County, rode to Waco to attend the Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents meeting in Waco. The suit says the Grim Guardians began as a riding club focused on child advocacy to support kids in abusive situations. They worked with the Travis County Court Appointed Special Advocates and the Center for Child Protection for several years.

“One of the most surprising elements of wearing their ‘cuts’ around these advocacy folks is that they discovered that the rugged biker image was actually appreciated,” the suit says. “GGMC members learned that male role models and volunteers are very scarce within the world of grassroot advocacy and mentoring. Travis County CPS was happy to see strong male role models, and as a consequence, the bikers were in fairly high demand.”

The suit claims that the four were in the process of parking their motorcycles at Twin Peaks when the violence erupted. Harris, King and Garcia took cover behind their motorcycles, then a truck, which was struck by bullets while they hid behind it, the suit says.