Seven years ago, on May 17, 2015, Waco, Texas, became the scene of one of the deadliest biker gang clashes in US history. At the Twin Peaks restaurant, a planned meeting of motorcycle clubs descended into chaos, leaving nine dead and eighteen wounded in what became known as the Waco Biker Shootout. This incident not only shook the local community but also sparked a long and controversial legal battle that ultimately resulted in no convictions, despite the mass arrests that followed. The Waco biker shootout remains a stark reminder of the volatile tensions between rival biker groups and the complexities of law enforcement response in such events.
The regional meeting of the Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents (COC&I) was intended to address political issues concerning motorcyclist rights. However, simmering animosity between the Bandidos and Cossacks motorcycle clubs was a tinderbox ready to ignite. Unbeknownst to the lunch crowd at Twin Peaks, eighteen Waco police officers and four state troopers were strategically positioned outside, monitoring the gathering. What began as a verbal altercation, reportedly over a parking spot incident, quickly escalated into a full-blown brawl and then erupted into the deadly Waco biker shootout.
The gunfire, which started at approximately 12:24 p.m., sent shockwaves through the busy restaurant and neighboring establishments. Patrons scrambled for cover, seeking refuge inside Twin Peaks and other nearby locations, or desperately fleeing across the parking lots. Amidst the pandemonium, police snipers, armed with rifles, identified and targeted individuals actively firing weapons, effectively bringing the Waco biker shootout to an abrupt halt. In the immediate aftermath, a massive wave of law enforcement descended upon the scene, rounding up and arresting everyone present. Miraculously, despite the intense gunfire, no law enforcement officers or civilians were injured during the Waco biker shootout itself.
When the smoke cleared, the grim reality of the Waco biker shootout became apparent. Nine bikers lay dead: Daniel Raymond “Diesel” Boyett, 44, Wayne Lee “Sidetrack” Campbell, 43, Richard Matthew “Chain” Jordan, III, 31, Richard Vincent “Bear” Kirschner, Jr., 47, Jacob Lee Rhyne, 39, Charles Wayne “Dog” Russell, 46 – all members of the Cossacks; Manuel Issac Rodriguez, 40, a Bandido; Jesus Delgado Rodriguez, 65, unaffiliated; and Matthew Mark Smith, 27, a Scimitar. Many of the deceased were later determined to have been killed by police fire during the Waco biker shootout. Eighteen others sustained injuries in the crossfire, further underscoring the violent nature of the clash.
The personal stories of the deceased painted a complex picture beyond biker stereotypes. Jacob Lee Rhyne, a father of two, had only recently joined the Cossacks and, according to his family, was unarmed. Jesus Rodriguez, a Vietnam War veteran and father of seven, was described by his son as simply being “in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Rodriguez was a decorated veteran, having received a Purple Heart and a Navy Commendation Medal. Daniel Boyett was a local Waco business owner. Richard “Bear” Kirschner was a Cossack Sergeant at Arms, responsible for club security. Wayne Campbell served as a Cossack road captain, organizing and ensuring safety during group rides. Manuel Rodriguez was a Bandido known as “Bandido Candyman.” These individuals, caught in the crosshairs of the Waco biker shootout, represented a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.
In the chaotic aftermath of the Waco biker shootout, 177 individuals were arrested at the scene. Then-District Attorney Abel Reyna took charge, directing that every single arrestee be charged with engaging in organized criminal activity. Justice of the Peace Pete Peterson set an unprecedented $1 million bond for each defendant, a move intended to send a strong message. This mass arrest and high bond sparked a media frenzy and triggered a protracted legal quagmire. Defense attorneys flooded the courts with motions for bond reductions and other legal challenges, effectively grinding the local justice system to a halt for years as the Waco biker shootout case became a symbol of prosecutorial overreach.
The legal saga took a dramatic turn in November 2017 when Christopher “Jake” Carrizal, president of the Bandidos’ Dallas chapter, became the first to stand trial in connection with the Waco biker shootout. However, after 14 hours of deliberation, the jury declared themselves hopelessly deadlocked, resulting in a mistrial. This setback marked a turning point in the prosecution’s efforts. In 2019, Barry Johnson replaced Reyna as District Attorney and swiftly reassessed the remaining cases. By April 2019, all pending criminal cases related to the Waco biker shootout were dismissed, marking a stunning failure for the prosecution.
Despite the dismissal of criminal charges, the legal fallout from the Waco biker shootout continues. Over 130 federal civil rights lawsuits have been filed by arrested bikers against the former DA, former police chief, the City of Waco, McLennan County, and various law enforcement officers involved in the mass arrests. These lawsuits allege violations of civil rights and wrongful arrest, highlighting the deep-seated controversy surrounding the police response to the Waco biker shootout.
Conflicting accounts persist regarding the origins of the gunfire during the Waco biker shootout. Eyewitnesses, including military veterans, reported that the shooting began with pistol fire but quickly became dominated by the sound of semiautomatic weapons. Notably, only one semiautomatic rifle was recovered from a biker, found locked in a vehicle. Police, however, were armed with semiautomatic weapons, raising questions about the source of the majority of the gunfire and the role of law enforcement in the fatalities.
Civil rights concerns were further amplified by the mass arrests and the subsequent inability of many to meet the exorbitant $1 million bond. David Kairys, a law school professor and civil rights lawyer, criticized the “arrest them all and sort it out later” approach, warning of its potential “chilling effect” on freedom of association and speech. While a grand jury cleared three Waco police officers of wrongdoing in the Waco biker shootout in September 2016, the broader questions about police conduct and the justification for the mass arrests remain central to the ongoing civil litigation.
The rivalry between the Bandidos and Cossacks, predating the Waco biker shootout by decades, is rooted in territorial disputes and differing philosophies within the biker subculture. The Bandidos, as the largest motorcycle club in Texas, assert dominance and enforce rules upon other groups. This long-standing tension, coupled with the events at Twin Peaks, underscores the complex and often volatile dynamics within the world of motorcycle clubs. The Waco biker shootout serves as a tragic example of how these tensions can erupt into deadly violence and leave a lasting scar on communities and individuals alike.
