Siege On The Branch Davidian Compound In Waco TX

he Waco siege was a siege of a compound belonging to the religious group Branch Davidians by American federal and Texas state law enforcement and military between February 28 and April 19 1993.4 The Branch Davidians a sect that separated in 1955 from the Seventh-day Adventist Church was led by David Koresh and lived at Mount Carmel Center ranch in the community of Elk Texas567 nine miles (14 kilometers) east-northeast of Waco. The group was suspected of weapons violations and a search and arrest warrant was obtained by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. The incident began when the ATF attempted to raid the ranch. An intense gun battle erupted resulting in the deaths of four agents and six Branch Davidians. Upon the ATF's failure to raid the compound a siege was initiated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) the standoff lasting 51 days. Eventually the FBI launched an assault and initiated a tear gas attack in an attempt to force the Branch Davidians out. During the attack a fire engulfed Mount Carmel Center and 76 people89 including David Koresh died. Much dispute remains as to the actual events of the siege. A particular controversy ensued over the origin of the fire a government investigation concluded in 2000 that sect members themselves had started the fire. The events near Waco were cited as the primary motivation for the perpetrators of the Oklahoma City bombing that took place exactly two years later in 1995.