Waco siege

Quick Facts: Who was Waco siege?

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Waco siege

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A 1993 US federal and state law enforcement siege of a Branch Davidian compound in Texas.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Waco siege, also known as the Waco massacre, was the siege by US federal government and Texas state law enforcement officials of a compound belonging to the religious cult known as the Branch Davidians, between February 28 and April 19 of 1993, which resulted in the deaths of 86 people, including 28 children. The Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh, were headquartered at Mount Carmel Center ranch in unincorporated McLennan County, Texas, 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Waco. Suspecting the group of stockpiling illegal weapons, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) obtained a search warrant for the compound and arrest warrants for Koresh and several of the group's members. The ATF had planned a sudden daylight raid of the ranch in order to serve these warrants. Any advantage of surprise was lost when a local reporter who had been tipped off about the raid asked for directions from a US Postal Service mail carrier who was coincidentally Koresh's brother-in-law.

Career & Major Achievements

Thus, the group's members were fully armed and prepared; upon the ATF initiating the raid, an intense gunfight erupted, resulting in the deaths of four ATF agents and six Branch Davidians. Following the ATF entering the property and its failure to execute the search warrant, a siege was initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), during which negotiations between the parties attempted to reach a compromise. After 51 days, on April 19, 1993, the FBI launched a CS gas (tear gas) attack in an attempt to force the Branch Davidians out of the compound's buildings. Shortly thereafter, the Mount Carmel Center became engulfed in flames. The fire resulted in the deaths of 76 Branch Davidians, including 20–28 children and Koresh.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The details about the events of the siege and attack in Elk, Texas (outside of Waco), particularly the origin of the fire, have been disputed by various sources. Department of Justice reports from October 1993 and July 2000 state that the Branch Davidians had started the fire, though they acknowledge that the FBI used pyrotechnic CS gas canisters. They cited evidence from audio surveillance recordings of very specific discussions between Koresh and others about pouring more fuel on piles of hay as the fires started, and from aerial footage that ostensibly showed at least three simultaneous ignition points at different locations in the building complex. The FBI has stated that none of their agents fired any live rounds on the day of the fire. However, several independent critics of the American government narrative have argued that live rounds were fired by law enforcement, and suggest that a combination of gunshots and flammable CS gas was the true cause of the fire.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1993: 1993 Milestone — The Waco siege, also known as the Waco massacre, was the siege by US federal government and Texas state law enforcement officials of a compound belonging to the religious cult known as the Branch Davidians, between February 28 and April 19 of 1993, which resulted in the deaths of 86 people, including 28 children.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Waco siege

True or False: “The initial ATF raid on the Mount Carmel Center was entirely unpredicted by the members of the Branch Davidians.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): A local reporter who had been tipped off about the raid asked for directions from a US Postal Service mail carrier who was Koresh's brother-in-law.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. N. Sherwin-White — Historical peer (Died in 1993) (1993): British academic and ancient historian, specializing in Roman law and society.
• Adam Ondra — Historical peer (Born in 1993) (1993): Czech professional rock climber, specializing in lead, bouldering, and competition.
• A. D. Hope — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Australian poet and essayist celebrated for his satirical wit and academic career.
• A. E. van Vogt — Historical peer (Died in 2000) (2000): Influential Canadian-American science fiction writer known for bizarre narratives.

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