Law enforcement authorities in Waco, Texas figured into a wild shootout with members of biker gangs that left nine people dead, 18 injured, and 170 arrested.

Numerous reports indicate that the incident took place on Sunday, May 19, 2015, outside a Twin Peaks sports bar. As many as five rival motorcycle gangs were involved in the shoot-out, which began after in the bathroom of the sports bar before escalating into a full-fledged shoot-out in the parking lot. Law enforcement authorities who were at the scene at the time of the shoot-out found themselves right smack in the middle of the mess as the rival gangs turned their gunfire on the officers on the scene. The police were then forced to return fire, which led to the deaths of nine people, all of whom were identified as members of two motorcycle gangs, namely the Cossacks and the Bandidos.

Fortunately, no officers and innocent bystanders were harmed from the shoot-out.

In addition, Waco Police spokesman  Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton, said in a news conference that all of those who were arrested have been charged with a slew of offences, including engaging in organized criminal activity, a capital murder charge in the state of Texas due to the number of victims that came as a result of the violence.

The repercussions and ramifications of this ugly incident is expected to affect a lot of people in the long run. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, for instance, has already suspended the bar's license for at least a week as while local, state and federal law enforcement agencies continue to piece together the incident that led to the bloody and deadly conflict.

Note: Image credit to the Associated Press

Continue to read more about the motorcycle gang shootout in Waco, Texas that led to nine deaths and 170 arrests.

Why it matters

Shock was the prevalent thought in my head when I first saw the news about this violent shootout. From there, a whole gamut of emotions ran through my head. From anger, grief, and disappointment, they all reared their heads at one point or another.

First of all, an incident like this is completely uncalled for. I don’t care who or what you are, there’s no place in this word for this kind of needless violence. To think that it all started in a bathroom of a sports bar leads me to think that the fight was caused by pride and egos. I’m not going to definitely say it was those things that started it because details are still unknown at this point. But that’s what I think and if I’m right, that’s just, for lack of a better word, unfortunate.

There’s also a feeling of sadness for those who died during the shootout. It doesn’t matter if they were involved in it or not because nobody deserves to lose his or her life over something like this.

It’s also disappointing that motorcycle clubs, or gangs as they’re being portrayed from this incident, can figure into this kind of heinous and malicious violence. I’ve been around some motorcycle clubs in the past and it’s unfair to see their groups being portrayed in such a bad light when some of them are actually made up of good guys and gals who just love to ride bikes together. Not every motorcycle club is capable of this kind of violence and it would be irresponsible for the rest of us to box them in the same group as these gangs.

Hopefully, those responsible for this shootout will be brought to justice and be given the punishments they deserve, whatever they may be.