I don't support David koresh or his BDs. I think they're nuts. But, we don't go blowing up a compound and burning little kids alive because we think someone is a little nutso.
Further, David Koresh left the compound nearly every day to buy cigarettes and to jog. They could've easily arrested him on any number of those occasions.
The ATFags wanted a hyped up victory to justify their existence. After shots were fired (discrepancy over who fired first) something like 4 ATFags were killed and 6 davidians..... then the FBI took over and made everything "better" after a lengthy standoff.
Not only that, but they [the davidians] allowed people to leave until the people no longer felt safe to do so.
Also, when the ATF ran out of bullets (!!!!!) during their initial attack, the Davidians allowed the murderous bastards to retreat. Remember, this was after the ATF had killed some of the residents! I believe that was a tactical grave error.