Officials recover hundreds of weapons at Waco shooting site

Officials have recovered more than 300 weapons at the scene of a deadly biker gang shootout that rattled the U.S. city of Waco three days ago, authorities said Wednesday.

Officials investigating the crime scene have collected 318 weapons tucked into the kitchen areas, vehicles and toilets in the Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco, Texas, local police spokesman Patrick Swanton told the Waco Tribune-Herald newspaper late Wednesday.

Of those weapons counted so far, 118 are handguns, one is an AK-47 assault-style rifle and 157 are knives. Swanton said weapons still uncounted are clubs, knives, brass knuckles, firearms and chains with padlocks attached.

Earlier the spokesman said the estimated number of weapons could reach 1,000. He later lowered the number but said that the number is expected to rise as the count is still ongoing.

A brawl between at least five motorcycle gangs turned the restaurant into a battlefield Sunday. Nine people were killed, 18 others were injured and 170 have been arrested and charged with engaging in organized crime, with bond set at 1 million U.S. dollars for each suspect.

The altercation that led to the full-out riot was initially believed to have started in a restroom of the restaurant. But a newly-disclosed security camera video suggested that the gunfire actually broke out in the parking lot and all dead bodies were found outside the restaurant.

It's unclear how many of the victims died from gunshots fired by police officers. Some bikers exchanged fire with the officers, none of whom was hurt. No bystanders were injured either.

Police were still on alert Wednesday for fear of further violence or retaliation by the biker gangs, who have made such threats. The shootout also fueled fears of similar chaos at an annual motorcycle gathering in New Mexico on Memorial Day.

The Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally in Red River in northern New Mexico is expected to attract 20,000 bikers, some of them members of the gangs involved in the Waco shooting.

Authorities said they will deploy additional security forces and will be extra vigilant during the event. Endi