Massacre at Six Shooter Junction (Waco, Texas): Police Overreaction to a New Folk Devil

• In Event: Research Network on Biker Crime: Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs, Friends, Foes or Folk Devils?

Abstract

This is a case study of the shootout that occurred on May 19, 2015 between the Bandidos and Cossacks Motorcycle Club/Gangs in Waco, Texas. Nine bikers were killed in the most violent encounter between Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs/Gangs in United States history. Who killed these bikers? Was it the police or fellow bikers? The police arrested 177 bikers—everyone wearing motorcycle clubs “colors”. Why were all these bikers charged with being members of a criminal organization? Why were they all held on $1 million bail? Were they all that dangerous? Evidence suggests that the police over-reacted to the law enforcement definition of “all biker clubs are really biker gangs” and criminal and violent.

Author

• Tom Barker, Eastern Kentucky University, Professor Emeritus