Three officers who were involved in the May, 17, 2015 shooting at a Twin Peaks restaurant in Waco, Texas have been cleared by both a grand jury and an internal investigation, according to Waco police Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton.
There is an ongoing investigation into the nine deaths and nearly 20 injuries by multiple agencies. About 177 people were arrested in the aftermath of the shooting. Swanton said at the time: “In 34 years of law enforcement, this is the most violent crime scene I have ever been involved in. There is blood everywhere. We will probably approach the number of 100 weapons.” In the end, officers found more than 475 weapons on the scene. The Associated Press reported that four of the people killed that day were struck by "police-style" bullets.
The officers—identified as Andy O’Neal, Michael Bucher, and Heath Jackson—were no-billed in the completed review on Wednesday, said Swanton. "We have completed an exhaustive internal investigation on the officer-involved portion of the incident, which was reviewed by the Texas Rangers," he added. "The three officers have been cleared by the investigation, and the action of the grand jury affirms those findings."
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“These officers acted professional under very difficult circumstances,” said Interim Waco Police Chief Frank Gentsch. “I’m glad to have this caliber of officers protecting our city. I appreciate the job conducted by the Department Investigators, the Texas Rangers, the McLennan County DA’s office and the Grand Jury in this case. I will be returning these officers to full duty immediately.”
—Olivia Messer
