WACO — 1993 · Major Tragedy
The Waco Siege
On 28 February 1993 the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) attempted to serve a warrant on weapons charges at the Mount Carmel compound near Waco, home to the Branch Davidian religious group. In the ensuing gunfight four ATF agents and six group members were killed. A 51-day FBI-led siege followed. On 19 April 1993, as the FBI inserted tear gas into the building, the compound caught fire; 76 people died, including the group's leader and more than 25 children. The government maintained the fire was started from inside, a point that remains disputed. The event triggered a long public debate over the use of federal force.
- Date
- 1993
- Place
- Texas, USA, Waco, US
- Category
- Major Tragedy
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 31.5960, -97.0000 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 28 February 1993Gunfight during the ATF raid; four agents and six members killed.
- March 1993FBI takes over the siege; negotiations continue.
- 19 April 1993Fire breaks out during the gas operation; 76 die.
- 2000Special Counsel report finds government agents did not start the fire.
Sources
- Waco History — The Branch Davidian Siege wacohistory.org ↗
- History.com — Waco Siege ends history.com ↗
- Wikipedia — Waco siege en.wikipedia.org ↗
- Waco History
- History.com
- ABC News
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.