On Sunday, a biker gang meeting at the Twin Peaks Restaurant in Waco, Tex., erupted in violence that claimed the lives of nine people and injured 18. This tragedy stemmed from the criminal actions of a fringe minority that does not represent the democracy-loving values of the majority of tolerant biker gangs devoted to freedom, denim, mutual understanding and leather accessories.

As a moderate biker gang member, who has never met the suspects, visited Texas or even seen the TV series “Twin Peaks,” I offer a full-throated condemnation of, and apology for, their violent acts.

Unfortunately, Sunday’s violence, which led to about 170 people being charged with involvement in organized crime linked to capital murder, has created an opportunity to demonize our biker gang communities as vicious thugs. In a familiar pattern of rhetorical retribution, people are demanding: When will moderate bikers take responsibility for crimes committed by these violent extremists?

But when did I become responsible for the criminal actions of a handful of deluded fanatics just because I ride a motorcycle, sport facial hair and have tattoos? Americans are as much at risk of being killed by falling vending machines as by domestic terrorist attacks, but do we indict Coke and Pepsi?