Mugshots showing the faces of the alleged gang members were released in batches following requests by local media, as part of the rare crackdown.
About 170 images were expected to be released in total, showing all of those charged with “engaging in organised criminal activity” in connection to the shooting at the Twin Peaks restaurant at noon on 17 May, which also injured 18.
McLennan County Justice of the Peace WH Peterson set bail for each suspect at $1 million (£637,000), and defended the number of arrests that was so large the authorities were forced to use a convention centre to hold them all.
“We have nine people dead, because these people wanted to come down and what? Drink? Party?” he said. “I thought it was appropriate.”
Wace Police said officers had been rushed from the processing effort to further outbreaks of violence across the city, as rival bikers appeared determined to continue the fight.
And Sergeant Patrick Swanton said authorities had received death threats from bikers “throughout the night”, suggesting the danger of retaliation against police for intervening between the gangs remained high.
Early investigations suggest five distinct gangs had gathered at the restaurant to discuss differences over rival recruitment and turf boundaries.
McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara, whose office is involved in the investigation, said the nine dead – yet to be identified by name – were members of the Bandidos and Cossacks gangs.
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Sgt Swanton has repeatedly declined to identify all the gangs were involved in a fight that began with punches then grew to include chains, knives and finally guns.
"I am not about to give them the respect of mentioning their names," he said.
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