Inside the Waco Siege, a 51-day standoff in 1993 between a Christian sect and federal agents that resulted in the deaths of 76 people

James PasleyFeb 25, 2023, 22:29 IST

Smoking fire consumes the Branch Davidian Compound at end the 51-day standoff with group leader David Koresh and his followers.Greg Smith/Corbis/Getty Images

In 1993, a religious sect refused to cooperate with federal agents in Waco, Texas, after an initial raid ended with the deaths of 10 people.
The ATF suspected the group were building a weapons arsenal and a local report found the group leader was sexually abusing children.

The Waco Siege — and how it ended — was one of the most public and shocking law enforcement standoffs in recent history.

After a 51-day siege between federal agents and a religious group called the Branch Davidians, led by a man named David Koresh, federal agents blew holes in the compound's walls before pumping the building full of tear gas.

They wanted to force the remaining Branch Davidians out. Instead, the compound caught alight and burned down, killing 76 people inside.

It's been 30 years since one of the most public standoffs with the law ended in disaster. Here's how the tragedy unfolded.

In the early 1990s, about 13 miles outside of a town called Waco, Texas, a small religious community appeared to be living placidly on a 77-acre compound known as Mount Carmel. They were known as Branch Davidians and practiced a form of Christianity based on the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas, on March 1, 1993.Ron Heflin/AP

In the early 1990s, about 13 miles outside of a town called Waco, Texas, a small religious community appeared to be living placidly on a 77-acre compound known as Mount Carmel. They were known as Branch Davidians and practiced a form of Christianity based on the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Upon first glance, you probably wouldn't have suspected that a few years earlier, in 1988, a gun battle had broken out at the Branch Davidian compound between different factions of the church.

A woman with a cross walked down the road near the Branch Davidian compound in 1993.Rick Bowmer/AP

Upon first glance, you probably wouldn't have suspected that a few years earlier, in 1988, a gun battle had broken out at the Branch Davidian compound between different factions of the church.

Two leaders had been vying for control of the Branch Davidians. One of those leaders was a man named David Koresh, who had reportedly changed his name from Vernon Howell to boost his music career.

David Koresh, his wife Rachel and their son Cyrus in front of their house in 1986.Elizabeth Baranyai/Sygma/Getty Images

Two leaders had been vying for control of the Branch Davidians. One of those leaders was a man named David Koresh, who had reportedly changed his name from Vernon Howell to boost his music career.

Things quieted down for the Branch Davidians for several years. But in 1992, editors at the local newspaper Waco Tribune-Herald launched an eight-month investigation into rumours about the group leader Koresh having sex with underage girls.

David Koresh, his wife Rachel and their two children Star and Cyrus in 1987.Elizabeth Baranyai/Sygma/Getty Images

Things quieted down for the Branch Davidians for several years. But in 1992, editors at the local newspaper Waco Tribune-Herald launched an eight-month investigation into rumours about the group leader Koresh having sex with underage girls.

By then, Koresh had a devout following made up of people from all over the world — from England to Hawaii to New Zealand and Australia.

David Koresh puts his arm around Clive Doyle in 1986 during a recruiting trip to Australia.Elizabeth Baranyai/Sygma/Getty Images

But the Waco Tribune-Herald's investigation found that the well-loved religious leader had abused children, had underage sex with girls, claimed to have more than 15 wives and said that God had given him the right to sleep with anyone's wife.

A photo of David Koresh taken at the Mount Carmel compound of the Branch Davidians cult near Waco, Texas in 1981.AP

But the Waco Tribune-Herald's investigation found that the well-loved religious leader had abused children, had underage sex with girls, claimed to have more than 15 wives and said that God had given him the right to sleep with anyone's wife.

But at the time, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms had also been quietly conducting their own probe into the group for about a year. Officials believed Koresh was converting semi-automatic weapons into automatic weapons and making grenades.

An Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent stands in the rain at a barricade north of the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas on Monday, March 22, 1993.George Widman/AP

But at the time, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms had also been quietly conducting their own probe into the group for about a year. Officials believed Koresh was converting semi-automatic weapons into automatic weapons and making grenades.

The ATF tried to stop the newspaper running the story, but on Saturday, February 27, 1993, the Waco Tribune-Herald ran its investigation about Koresh, calling him "The Sinful Messiah."

A portrait of David Koresh at age 14.AP

The ATF tried to stop the newspaper running the story, but on Saturday, February 27, 1993, the Waco Tribune-Herald ran its investigation about Koresh, calling him "The Sinful Messiah."

The next morning, a Sunday in late February 1993, about 76 federal agents tried to search the grounds of the compound and arrest Koresh.

ATF agents standing at a checkpoint near the Branch Davidian compound in March 1993.Brian Bahr/AFP/Getty Images

For two hours, the agents fought the Branch Davidians. Four agents and six Branch Davidians were killed, while numerous others were injured.

Law enforcement agents and vehicles around the Branch Davidian compound in 1993.Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Sygma/Getty Images

Over the next 51 days, thanks to an amalgamation of stubbornness by Koresh and overzealousness by federal agents, a media campaign arose that created a two-dimensional narrative about the Branch Davidian community — Koresh as the crazy leader preaching about the end of the world and his mesmerized followers.

Protesters hold a sign that reads "Is your church ATF approved?" during a rally against the ATF during the siege in 1993.Steven Reece/Sygma/Getty Images

Over the next 51 days, thanks to an amalgamation of stubbornness by Koresh and overzealousness by federal agents, a media campaign arose that created a two-dimensional narrative about the Branch Davidian community — Koresh as the crazy leader preaching about the end of the world and his mesmerized followers.

Two days later, on March 2, 1993, the FBI took over the siege, since the killing of the ATF agents was considered a federal crime. They cut off all access to the property and flew in negotiators and hostage rescue experts.

FBI agents unload from a truck in March 1993.Bob Pearson/AFP/Getty Images

Two days later, on March 2, 1993, the FBI took over the siege, since the killing of the ATF agents was considered a federal crime. They cut off all access to the property and flew in negotiators and hostage rescue experts.

On the same day, two women in their 70s and eight children left the compound. They took with them an audiotape Koresh wanted played on the radio. On the tape, he promised to come out before there was any more bloodshed. But he never did.

David Koresh’s grandmother and her lawyer play a tape for the media in 1993 during the siege.Chris Wilkins/AFP/Getty Images

On the same day, two women in their 70s and eight children left the compound. They took with them an audiotape Koresh wanted played on the radio. On the tape, he promised to come out before there was any more bloodshed. But he never did.

At this point, FBI negotiator Gary Noesner was working on getting people out. He helped 35 people — 21 of whom were children — escape the compound.

FBI negotiator Gary Noesner in 2018.Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Yet even as Noesner's negotiations worked, the FBI got more and more forceful. They cut the compound's power and blasted the building with noise at night to ruin their sleep.

An officer surveys the Branch Davidian compound in 1993.David Ake/AFP/Getty Images

Yet even as Noesner's negotiations worked, the FBI got more and more forceful. They cut the compound's power and blasted the building with noise at night to ruin their sleep.

The FBI also began to accuse the media of interfering. On March 11, 1993, after radio host Ron Engelman appealed to the compound to signal if they needed any help, the FBI told the media to stick to their job of reporting the facts.

A federal agent gestures at the media as a Branch Davidian member gets into a car after a hearing in 1993.Chris Wilkins/AFP/Getty Images

The FBI also began to accuse the media of interfering. On March 11, 1993, after radio host Ron Engelman appealed to the compound to signal if they needed any help, the FBI told the media to stick to their job of reporting the facts.

But Engelman had a point. The FBI were technically controlling the narrative, making sure the media stuck to its talking points — that Koresh was a cult leader, a liar, someone who could not be negotiated with.

Members of the press sit through an Easter Sunday Service in a media encampment near the Branch Davidian compound in 1993.Chris Wilkins/AFP/Getty Images

But Engelman had a point. The FBI were technically controlling the narrative, making sure the media stuck to its talking points — that Koresh was a cult leader, a liar, someone who could not be negotiated with.

Even so, as the siege continued, Koresh became famous. Despite his protestations, he was compared to Jim Jones, the cult leader responsible for the Jonestown Massacre.

Two women selling “cult” t-shirts near the Branch Davidian compound in 1993.Rick Bowmer/AP

The public took sides. Here, protesters led an anti-ATF rally.

Kerry Kinchen uses a bullhorn to lead protesters in an anti-ATF demonstration at the checkpoint leading to the remains of the Branch Davidian cult compound April 24, 1993.J. David Ake/AFP/Getty Images

While others showed their support for federal agents. One sign reads, "We support ATF, FBI, and local law."

Locals show their support for law enforcement during the Waco siege in 1993.Chris Wilkins/AFP Files/AFP/Getty Images

On March 24, 1993, the FBI offered Koresh another radio slot to air his beliefs in exchange for ending the siege. Koresh refused. By this point, 35 members had left the compound.

Branch Davidians members being led to court in 1993.Chris Wilkins/AFP/Getty Images

On March 24, 1993, the FBI offered Koresh another radio slot to air his beliefs in exchange for ending the siege. Koresh refused. By this point, 35 members had left the compound.

On March 30, 1993, the FBI allowed Koresh's lawyer Dick DeGuerin, who was hired by Koresh's mother Bonnie Haldeman, to enter the compound to discuss ending the siege. Afterwards, he told reporters he was "very hopeful" it would be over soon.

Lawyer Dick Deguerin and Bonnie Haldeman speak to the press in 1993.STF/AFP/Getty Images

On March 30, 1993, the FBI allowed Koresh's lawyer Dick DeGuerin, who was hired by Koresh's mother Bonnie Haldeman, to enter the compound to discuss ending the siege. Afterwards, he told reporters he was "very hopeful" it would be over soon.

But it didn't end. Meanwhile, siege tourists kept visiting a hill about three miles away known as "T-shirt Hill," a look-out spot where you could buy Koresh t-shirts, souvenirs, and food.

A boy and his aunt watch the Branch Davidian compound through a pair of binoculars in 1993 from a nearby hill.Chris Wilkins/AFP/Getty Images

But it didn't end. Meanwhile, siege tourists kept visiting a hill about three miles away known as "T-shirt Hill," a look-out spot where you could buy Koresh t-shirts, souvenirs, and food.

But onlookers were oblivious to what was going on inside — Koresh had predicted that between April 6 to 13, 1993, they would all be killed. The FBI knew about his prediction, and both sides were watching and waiting.

Officers talk with an ATF agent outside the Branch Davidian compound on April 1.David Martin/AP

But onlookers were oblivious to what was going on inside — Koresh had predicted that between April 6 to 13, 1993, they would all be killed. The FBI knew about his prediction, and both sides were watching and waiting.

But on April 14, 1993, Koresh cut a deal that once he had finished writing a religious tract based on the Book of Revelation, the final book of the Christian Bible, everyone would leave the compound through metal detectors. He said it would be within two weeks.

Lawyer Dick DeGuerin walks through media in 1993.Bob Daemmrich/AFP/Getty Images

But on April 14, 1993, Koresh cut a deal that once he had finished writing a religious tract based on the Book of Revelation, the final book of the Christian Bible, everyone would leave the compound through metal detectors. He said it would be within two weeks.

Except the next day, officials pressured Attorney General Janet Reno to greenlight a tear-gas strategy.

Attorney General Janet Reno testifies about the siege in 1995.Win McNamee/Reuters

On April 19, 1993, nearly two months since the ATF's raid, the FBI launched its assault on the compound. They used tanks and tear gas. It was like a war zone.

Tanks in the underbrush about 200 yards from the Branch Davidian compound in 1993.STR/AFP/Getty Images

Though what exactly happened during the attack is still under dispute, federal agents did fire explosives into the compound's walls to create holes, through which they funnelled tear gas to force everyone out of the building.

A battering ram on an armored vehicle ripped holes in the walls of the Branch Davidian compound.Ron Heflin/AP

Though what exactly happened during the attack is still under dispute, federal agents did fire explosives into the compound's walls to create holes, through which they funnelled tear gas to force everyone out of the building.

At some point, three separate fires erupted at the site. Aided by strong winds, the fire spread rapidly, and the compound burned to the ground, killing 76 people inside, including Koresh.

The Branch Davidian compound explodes on April 19, 1993.Shelly Katz/Liaison/Getty Images

At some point, three separate fires erupted at the site. Aided by strong winds, the fire spread rapidly, and the compound burned to the ground, killing 76 people inside, including Koresh.

In the weeks afterwards, two narratives emerged: one was that Koresh and the Davidians had started the fires to induce a mass suicide.

A National Guard helicopter flies past the burning Branch Davidian compound on April 19, 1993.Tim Roberts/AFP/Getty Images

The other narrative was that the FBI's tear gas was responsible. The FBI denied this.

An aerial shot of the Branch Davidian compound after it had burned down.Steven Reece/Sygma/Getty Images

Six years later, in 1999, an independent inquiry found — despite the death toll and the fact the FBI ignored Koresh's agreement to come out in two weeks — other than misleading the public about its use of tear gas, the FBI had done nothing wrong.

An aerial view of the Branch Davidian compound on April 19, 1993.AP

Six years later, in 1999, an independent inquiry found — despite the death toll and the fact the FBI ignored Koresh's agreement to come out in two weeks — other than misleading the public about its use of tear gas, the FBI had done nothing wrong.

But not everyone agreed. Ramsay Clark, a lawyer who represented the surviving Branch Davidians, said history will remember the FBI's assault on the compound as "the greatest domestic law enforcement tragedy in the history of the United States."

A woman stands among crosses signifying the loss of life from the Waco Siege.Steven Reece/Sygma/Getty Images

But not everyone agreed. Ramsay Clark, a lawyer who represented the surviving Branch Davidians, said history will remember the FBI's assault on the compound as "the greatest domestic law enforcement tragedy in the history of the United States."

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Inside the Waco Siege, a 51-day standoff in 1993 between a Christian sect and federal agents that resulted in the deaths of 76 people

In the early 1990s, about 13 miles outside of a town called Waco, Texas, a small religious community appeared to be living placidly on a 77-acre compound known as Mount Carmel. They were known as Branch Davidians and practiced a form of Christianity based on the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Upon first glance, you probably wouldn't have suspected that a few years earlier, in 1988, a gun battle had broken out at the Branch Davidian compound between different factions of the church.

Two leaders had been vying for control of the Branch Davidians. One of those leaders was a man named David Koresh, who had reportedly changed his name from Vernon Howell to boost his music career.

Things quieted down for the Branch Davidians for several years. But in 1992, editors at the local newspaper Waco Tribune-Herald launched an eight-month investigation into rumours about the group leader Koresh having sex with underage girls.

By then, Koresh had a devout following made up of people from all over the world — from England to Hawaii to New Zealand and Australia.

But the Waco Tribune-Herald's investigation found that the well-loved religious leader had abused children, had underage sex with girls, claimed to have more than 15 wives and said that God had given him the right to sleep with anyone's wife.

But at the time, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms had also been quietly conducting their own probe into the group for about a year. Officials believed Koresh was converting semi-automatic weapons into automatic weapons and making grenades.

The ATF tried to stop the newspaper running the story, but on Saturday, February 27, 1993, the Waco Tribune-Herald ran its investigation about Koresh, calling him "The Sinful Messiah."

The next morning, a Sunday in late February 1993, about 76 federal agents tried to search the grounds of the compound and arrest Koresh.

For two hours, the agents fought the Branch Davidians. Four agents and six Branch Davidians were killed, while numerous others were injured.

Two days later, on March 2, 1993, the FBI took over the siege, since the killing of the ATF agents was considered a federal crime. They cut off all access to the property and flew in negotiators and hostage rescue experts.

On the same day, two women in their 70s and eight children left the compound. They took with them an audiotape Koresh wanted played on the radio. On the tape, he promised to come out before there was any more bloodshed. But he never did.

At this point, FBI negotiator Gary Noesner was working on getting people out. He helped 35 people — 21 of whom were children — escape the compound.

Yet even as Noesner's negotiations worked, the FBI got more and more forceful. They cut the compound's power and blasted the building with noise at night to ruin their sleep.

The FBI also began to accuse the media of interfering. On March 11, 1993, after radio host Ron Engelman appealed to the compound to signal if they needed any help, the FBI told the media to stick to their job of reporting the facts.

But Engelman had a point. The FBI were technically controlling the narrative, making sure the media stuck to its talking points — that Koresh was a cult leader, a liar, someone who could not be negotiated with.

Even so, as the siege continued, Koresh became famous. Despite his protestations, he was compared to Jim Jones, the cult leader responsible for the Jonestown Massacre.

The public took sides. Here, protesters led an anti-ATF rally.

While others showed their support for federal agents. One sign reads, "We support ATF, FBI, and local law."

On March 24, 1993, the FBI offered Koresh another radio slot to air his beliefs in exchange for ending the siege. Koresh refused. By this point, 35 members had left the compound.

On March 30, 1993, the FBI allowed Koresh's lawyer Dick DeGuerin, who was hired by Koresh's mother Bonnie Haldeman, to enter the compound to discuss ending the siege. Afterwards, he told reporters he was "very hopeful" it would be over soon.

But it didn't end. Meanwhile, siege tourists kept visiting a hill about three miles away known as "T-shirt Hill," a look-out spot where you could buy Koresh t-shirts, souvenirs, and food.

But onlookers were oblivious to what was going on inside — Koresh had predicted that between April 6 to 13, 1993, they would all be killed. The FBI knew about his prediction, and both sides were watching and waiting.

But on April 14, 1993, Koresh cut a deal that once he had finished writing a religious tract based on the Book of Revelation, the final book of the Christian Bible, everyone would leave the compound through metal detectors. He said it would be within two weeks.

Except the next day, officials pressured Attorney General Janet Reno to greenlight a tear-gas strategy.

On April 19, 1993, nearly two months since the ATF's raid, the FBI launched its assault on the compound. They used tanks and tear gas. It was like a war zone.

Though what exactly happened during the attack is still under dispute, federal agents did fire explosives into the compound's walls to create holes, through which they funnelled tear gas to force everyone out of the building.

At some point, three separate fires erupted at the site. Aided by strong winds, the fire spread rapidly, and the compound burned to the ground, killing 76 people inside, including Koresh.

In the weeks afterwards, two narratives emerged: one was that Koresh and the Davidians had started the fires to induce a mass suicide.

The other narrative was that the FBI's tear gas was responsible. The FBI denied this.

Six years later, in 1999, an independent inquiry found — despite the death toll and the fact the FBI ignored Koresh's agreement to come out in two weeks — other than misleading the public about its use of tear gas, the FBI had done nothing wrong.

But not everyone agreed. Ramsay Clark, a lawyer who represented the surviving Branch Davidians, said history will remember the FBI's assault on the compound as "the greatest domestic law enforcement tragedy in the history of the United States."