Waco biker shootout: Police release mugshots of 170 'gang members' charged over deadly battle

The Texas gang fight saw nine killed and 18 injured

(McLennan County Jail )

Texas police have faced a logistical nightmare processing the almost 200 bikers arrested in the wake of a deadly shootout that killed nine in Waco.

Mugshots showing the faces of the alleged gang members were released in batches following requests by local media, as part of the rare crackdown.

“We have nine people dead, because these people wanted to come down and what? Drink? Party?” he said. “I thought it was appropriate.”

Wace Police said officers had been rushed from the processing effort to further outbreaks of violence across the city, as rival bikers appeared determined to continue the fight.

And Sergeant Patrick Swanton said authorities had received death threats from bikers “throughout the night”, suggesting the danger of retaliation against police for intervening between the gangs remained high.

Sgt Swanton said it was too early to determine how many of the alleged motorcycle gang members would face further charges for murder.

Early investigations suggest five distinct gangs had gathered at the restaurant to discuss differences over rival recruitment and turf boundaries.

McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara, whose office is involved in the investigation, said the nine dead – yet to be identified by name – were members of the Bandidos and Cossacks gangs.

Sgt Swanton has repeatedly declined to identify all the gangs were involved in a fight that began with punches then grew to include chains, knives and finally guns.

"I am not about to give them the respect of mentioning their names," he said.