At least 20 people visited a makeshift memorial near the former Twin Peaks restaurant on the one-year anniversary of the shooting.
Matthew Barnes was near the site where his 65-year-old friend Jesus “Jesse” Delgado Rodriguez died on May 17, 2015. He was at the Twin Peaks restaurant when the shootout between two rival biker gangs took place.
"Mohawk or Jesse Rodriguez didn't belong to any club. He was killed. He was not a gang member. [He was a] Vietnam vet. Purple Heart. Great guy,” said Barnes.
Barnes who believes police could’ve done more to prevent the shooting wanted to pay his respects to those those hurt or killed.
"Nine people needlessly died and then hundreds of families have been torn apart. That's why I am here,” said Barnes.
The nearly two dozen people stopped at the memorial decorated with flowers, skulls, chains and crosses. The memorial is located near the parking lot of the former restaurant, which had at least two no trespassing signs.
“The owner of this property has authorized the Waco Police Department to remove or arrest persons found on this property without permission,” the signs read.
Police officers were also in the parking lot and in other areas of the Central Texas Marketplace throughout the day on Tuesday.
The family of a Cossack from East Texas who was injured in the shooting made the trip for the anniversary. They were not only there for their family member, but also for seven Cossacks who were killed during the shootout.
"My dad was shot in the face a year ago today and we lost seven uncles and we just wanted to pay our respects,” said Maloree."It will never be the same of any of us."
Maloree who only told News Channel 25 her father went by the nickname of Country said he suffers from seizures and post-traumatic stress disorder after the shooting happened. Her father has been indicted on engaging on organized criminal activity charges along with other 153 bikers.
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