For months, there had been skirmishes and talk of a war between the Bandidos and Cossacks over money, turf and respect, according to a law enforcement bulletin obtained by WFAA, Dallas.
That talk escalated into open warfare on the streets of Waco Sunday afternoon during a biker gathering at a restaurant. Nine suspected gang members were killed and 18 others were injured in a confrontation between the two motorcycle gangs at the Twin Peaks restaurant on the south side of Waco.
"Violence between members of the Bandidos OMG and the Cossacks MC has increased in Texas with no indication of diminishing," according to the bulletin. "The conflict may stem from Cossacks members refusing to pay Bandidos dues for operating in Texas and for claiming Texas as their territory by wearing the Texas bottom rocker on their vests, or 'colors' or 'cuts."
The May 1 bulletin, "Tension between Bandido OMG and Cossacks MC remains high in Texas," was issued by the Texas Joint Information Center run by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
According to the bulletin, law officers had been actively trying to reduce tensions between the two groups and had met with them about it. They had been cautioned about the "unwanted attention a potential war would bring to both groups," the bulletin said.
Waco police have said that they had an increased law enforcement presence outside the restaurant because they feared violence would erupt. Police also said that they had warned Twin Peaks for two months about hosting the biker event.
Law officers are being warned to be on guard for potential retaliation, given that some of the dead and wounded may have been hit by gunfire from law enforcement. Waco police said they had "credible intelligence" to believe biker gang leaders had been given the "green light" on law enforcement.
In Waco, about 175 bikers have been arrested and placed in the county jail. They were charged with engaging in organized crime.
According to Waco police, police arrived at the restaurant shortly after noon after hearing reports of the conflict between the groups. The fight apparently began with an argument inside a restroom inside the restaurant.
No police officers or bystanders were injured in the battle. About 100 weapons were recovered from the scene, including brass knuckles, knives and clubs.
The memo outlined the reasons believed to be driving the escalating tensions.
A Bandidos chapter president had approached a Cossacks leader and told him of the "dues and fees required from all Cossacks chapters in Texas," the bulletin said. "Initially, the Cossacks chapters paid their dues but felt disrespected once members became aware that some Bandidos support clubs did not pay the same fees. As a result, the Cossacks chapters stopped paying the Bandidos."
It noted that Cossacks members had recently "started wearing the Texas patch on the bottom rocker of their vests without the approval of the Bandidos," the bulletin said. "Traditionally, the Bandidos have been the dominant motorcycle club in Texas and no other club is allowed to wear the Texas bar without their consent. If the club refuses, Bandidos members will attempt to remove the vest by force from the member."
March 22 – About 10 Cossacks forced a Bandido to pull over off Interstate 35 near Lorena. They then attacked the Bandidos member with "chains, batons, and metal pipes before stealing his motorcycle.
"March 22 – A group of Bandidos confronted a Cossacks member fueling his motorcycle at a truck stop in Palo Pinto County. After the Cossacks member refused to remove the Texas patch from his vest, the Bandidos attacked him "by striking his head with a hammer and stealing his vest."
April 7 – The FBI El Paso Division received information from law enforcement that about 100 Bandidos planned to travel to Odessa on April 11 in order to start a "war" with Cossacks in the area.
April 9 – The FBI San Antonio division received information that Bandidos had "discussed the possibility of going to war with Cossacks" and "instructed members to be on the lookout for members or associates of the Cossacks" during the April 11 weekend biker rallies held in Amarillo, Hondo, Midland and Odessa.
April 24 – The FBI Dallas division released a report regarding three recent fights between Bandidos and Cossacks in East Texas in Longview, Kilgore and Quitman.
The bulletin states that both groups had been warned that there would be an increased law enforcement presence during the April 11 weekend in Odessa.
"The warning did little to curb the Bandidos presence, however, and it was estimated that 200 to 400 Bandidos from Texas and New Mexico rode into the Odessa Area," the bulletin said. "There were no reports of Cossacks members in the area and no significant violent activity was reported."
The bulletin described the Bandidos as "one of the largest one percenter outlaw motorcycle groups in the United States" and the largest outlaw motorcycle gang in Texas. The Cossacks is a national club with members in the east, north and west Texas.
"Law enforcement personnel is urged to always maintain vigilance when in contact with members of either motorcycle group," the bulletin said.
