Waco Twin Peaks' Liquor License Suspended After Gang Shootout

WACO - The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, at the request of the Waco Police Department, has issued a seven-day summary suspension for the TABC license of Twin Peaks Restaurant, 4671 South Jack Kultgen Expressway in Waco. The suspension comes after a suspected motorcycle gang shooting that left nine dead and at least 18 people wounded Sunday, May 17.

The seven-day suspension was issued under Section 11.61(d) of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, which allows the Commission to temporarily suspend a business' license to sell alcohol following a "shooting, stabbing or murder that has occurred on the licensed premises which is likely to result in a subsequent act of violence." While the suspension is not an accusation of wrongdoing on the part of Twin Peaks, the restaurant is prohibited from selling alcohol during the seven-day period.

During the suspension, TABC will work with the Waco Police Department to investigate whether the restaurant's operational or management policies contributed to an atmosphere which allowed the shooting to take place. Any wrongdoing uncovered during the investigation could result in further action against the restaurant, including monetary fines, further suspension, or cancellation of its TABC license to sell alcohol.

"Our investigators will continue to work with the Waco Police Department to collect statements from any party involved, especially the restaurant staff," said Major Victor Kuykendoll, TABC District 2 Regional Commander. "We will continue to investigate the operations of the restaurant to determine if they failed to properly manage the folks on the premises and enabled this event to take place."

Once the seven-day suspension is up, the restaurant is allowed to resume normal operations, pending the results of the ongoing investigation. The investigation could take several weeks to complete.