Waco Police Spokesman Running for County Sheriff

The Waco police spokesman who was virtually the sole source of law enforcement information on the deadly spring shootout at a Twin Peaks restaurant plans to run for sheriff in the 2016 election.

The Waco Tribune-Herald reports Sgt. W. Patrick Swanton filed a report July 17 designating a campaign treasurer. He will face incumbent McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara, who told the paper he's seeking re-election.

The May 17 shootout that drew international scrutiny brought a higher profile for Swanton. More recently, though, he's declined to discuss the ongoing criminal investigation.

It is unclear whose bullets struck the nine dead and 18 injured in what authorities say was a confrontation between two motorcycle clubs. Waco police have sought to block the public release of autopsy reports and ballistic analyses.

Copyright The Associated Press
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