Gavin Howe
The Waco siege, also known as the Waco massacre, was a 1993 siege by US federal government and Texas state law enforcement officials of a compound belonging to the religious cult known as the Branch Davidians. The siege was carried out on suspicion that the group was stockpiling illegal weapons. During the siege, some law enforcement agents were found to have used tactics that violated the Constitution, FBI rules, and state and federal law. Nine cult members were arrested and eight were later convicted on various firearms and other charges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Stockpiling illegal weapons | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms obtained a search warrant for the compound and arrest warrants for Koresh and several of the group's members |
| Aggressive license to kill rules of engagement | FBI sniper's bullet killed Vicki Weaver and injured Kevin Harris |
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What You'll Learn
Waco siege by US federal government and Texas state law enforcement
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, 1993. The Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh, were headquartered at Mount Carmel Center ranch in unincorporated McLennan County, Texas, 13 miles (21 kilometres) 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's suspicions were confirmed when nine cult members escaped the fire and were arrested, and eight of those members were later convicted in federal court on various firearms and/or other charges. A subsequent investigation by the Departments of Treasury and Justice regarding the actions of law enforcement agents during the siege determined that some tactics may have violated the altered FBI rules in addition to permanent FBI rules, state and federal law, and the Constitution.
Investigative journalist James Bovard offered the following theory:
> To shoot at a running target by aiming at the window of a door facing into a cabin would be an idiotic way to try to shoot Kevin Harris. However, the shot that hit Vicki Weaver—severing her carotid artery—was a perfect kill shot.
The FBI sniper's .308 bullet crashed into Weaver's head with such force that skull bone fragments and bullet fragments went into Harris, seriously injuring him.
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Waco siege on religious cult Branch Davidians
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, 1993. The Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh, were headquartered at Mount Carmel Center ranch in unincorporated McLennan County, Texas, 13 miles (21 kilometres) 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's investigation into the Branch Davidians began in July 1992 when they received reports that the group was stockpiling illegal weapons. On February 28, 1993, ATF agents attempted to serve the search and arrest warrants, but were met with armed resistance from the Branch Davidians. A shootout ensued, resulting in the deaths of four ATF agents and six Branch Davidians.
The siege continued for 51 days, with the Branch Davidians refusing to surrender. During this time, the ATF and the FBI attempted to negotiate with Koresh, but he was uncooperative. On April 19, 1993, the FBI launched a tear gas attack on the compound, which sparked a fire that killed 76 people, including Koresh.
Nine cult members escaped the fire and were arrested, while eight of those members were later convicted in federal court on various firearms and/or other charges; and all were sentenced to various lengths of imprisonment. A subsequent investigation by the Departments of Treasury and Justice regarding the actions of law enforcement agents during the siege determined that some tactics violated the altered FBI rules in addition to permanent FBI rules, state and federal law, and the Constitution. Another theory is offered by investigative journalist James Bovard, who suggests that the FBI sniper who killed Vicki Weaver may have violated the Constitution.
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Cult members arrested and convicted on firearms charges
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, 1993. The Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh, were headquartered at Mount Carmel Center ranch in unincorporated McLennan County, Texas, 13 miles (21 kilometres) 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. Nine cult members escaped the fire and were arrested, while eight of those members were later convicted in federal court on various firearms and/or other charges; and all were sentenced to various lengths of imprisonment.
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Investigation into law enforcement tactics during the siege
The Waco siege, also known as the Waco massacre, was an operation by the US federal government and Texas state law enforcement officials to search a compound belonging to the religious cult known as the Branch Davidians, who were suspected of stockpiling illegal weapons. The siege took place between February 28 and April 19, 1993, and resulted in the arrest of nine cult members, eight of whom were later convicted in federal court on various firearms and/or other charges.
A subsequent investigation by the Departments of Treasury and Justice regarding the actions of law enforcement agents during the siege determined that some tactics were questionable. For example, it was found that the FBI sniper's bullet that crashed into Vicki Weaver's head with such force that skull bone fragments and bullet fragments went into Kevin Harris, seriously injuring him. This action may have violated the altered FBI rules, as well as state and federal law, and the Constitution.
The investigation also raised questions about the lawfulness of federal law enforcement and the aggressive license to kill rules of engagement. It was suggested that the shot that killed Vicki Weaver was a "perfect kill shot", indicating a potential violation of the rules of engagement, which only allowed shots that could be taken "without endangering the children".
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Waco siege of 1993
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, 1993. The Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh, were headquartered at Mount Carmel Center ranch in unincorporated McLennan County, Texas, 13 miles (21 kilometres) 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.
Nine cult members escaped the fire and were arrested, while eight of those members were later convicted in federal court on various firearms and/or other charges; and all were sentenced to various lengths of imprisonment. A subsequent investigation by the Departments of Treasury and Justice regarding the actions of law enforcement agents during the siege determined that some tactics may have violated the altered FBI rules in addition to permanent FBI rules, state and federal law, and the Constitution.
Investigative journalist James Bovard offered the following theory:
> To shoot at a running target by aiming at the window of a door facing into a cabin would be an idiotic way to try to shoot Kevin Harris. However, the shot that hit Vicki Weaver—severing her carotid artery—was a perfect kill shot.
The FBI sniper's .308 bullet crashed into Vicki Weaver's head with such force that skull bone fragments and bullet fragments went into Harris, seriously injuring him.
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Frequently asked questions
The Waco cult, also known as the Branch Davidians, were suspected of stockpiling illegal weapons. Nine cult members were arrested and eight were later convicted in federal court on various firearms and/or other charges.
The Waco siege was a siege by US federal government and Texas state law enforcement officials of a compound belonging to the Branch Davidians, who were suspected of stockpiling illegal weapons.
Nine cult members were arrested and eight were later convicted in federal court on various firearms and/or other charges.
