Tex-Con-Man wrote: You do realize that was one event. The BATF started it and the FBI finished it.
I'm not sure wht you mean by one event. Perhaps it is a matter of semantics. Two me there were 51 days (not 90 as I said above) between the initial failed raid and the overwhelming force attack. I consider those two distinct attacks, but it was a continuous state of seige betweeen them.
Still the second attack was the most agregious and inexplicable. The FedGov apprently decided to stop worrying about the kids and drive them out, with entirely predictable results.
There was the first event, a suprise warrant service by a huge ATF SWAT team, to arrest Koresh and others from the church for weapons violations. It went very wrong for the ATF. There were casualties on both sides, four ATF agents, six Davidians. The date was Feb. 28, 1993.
Law enforcement then withdrew and created a perimiter. It went from a shooting conflict to a barricaded hostage situation. Responsibility transferred from the ATF (which is not the lead agency for hostage situations) to the FBI. Thus, I view this as a second incident, certainly related to the first, but with a very different dynamic. It was no longer about trying to arrest one or two guys and search the compound, it (should have been) about saving the lives of the dozens of innocent children who (according to the FBI) were being held by a maniac brain-washing religious nut, David Koresh.
Instead " nine disarmed Bradley Fighting Vehicles and five M-60 combat engineering vehicles (CEVs) obtained from the US Army began patrolling.[15] The armored vehicles were used to destroy perimeter fencing and outbuildings and crush cars belonging to the Davidians. The tanks repeatedly drove over the grave of Davidian Peter Gent despite protests by the Davidians and the negotiators. Two of the three water storage tanks on the roof of the main building had been shot at and holed in the initial ATF raid. Eventually the FBI cut all power and water to the compound".
Wikipedia continues their description (which is reasonably accurate if slighlty biased towards the absurd claims of the Clinton regime
The final assaultThe FBI suggested that the Davidians might commit mass suicide, as had happened at Jonestown where 900 people killed themselves at their leader's behest, although Koresh had repeatedly denied any plans for this when confronted by negotiators during the standoff, and people escaping the compound hadn't seen any such preparation.[43] Newly-appointed U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno approved recommendations by the FBI to mount an assault after being told that conditions were deteriorating and that children were being abused inside the compound.[38] Because the Davidians were heavily armed, the FBI's arms included .50 caliber (12.7 mm) rifles and armored vehicles (CEVs). The assault took place on April 19.
Combat Engineering tanks used booms to puncture holes in the walls of buildings of the compound so they could pump in CS gas ("tear gas") and try to flush out the Davidians without harming them. The stated plan called for increasing amounts of gas to be pumped in over two days to increase pressure. Officially, no armed assault was to be made, and loudspeakers were used to tell the Davidians that there would be no armed assault and to ask them not to fire on the vehicles. When several Davidians allegedly opened fire, the FBI's response was to increase the amount of gas being used.[15]
After more than six hours no Davidians had left the building, sheltering instead in a cinder block room within the building or using gas masks.[44] The official FBI claim is that CEVs were used to punch large holes in the building to provide exits for those inside. Several Davidians were blocked when a floor above collapsed, and nearly all Davidians said they feared being shot were they to leave.[citation needed]
At around noon, three fires broke out almost simultaneously in different parts of the building. The government maintains the fires were deliberately started by Davidians.[15][45] Davidian survivors maintain the fires were accidentally or deliberately started by the tank assault.[46][47] As the fire spread, Davidians were prevented from escaping; others refused to leave and eventually became trapped. In all, only nine people left the building during the fire.[15][45]
The remaining Davidians, including the children, were either buried alive by rubble, suffocated by the effects of the fire or shot. Many that suffocated from the fire were killed by smoke or carbon monoxide inhalation[45] and other causes[45] as fire engulfed the building. Footage of the incident was being broadcast worldwide via television. In all, 75 died (50 adults and 25 children under the age of 15) and nine survived the fire on Apr 19 (on Feb 28 five had been killed in the initial ATF raid and buried on the grounds, one killed by ATF after the raid while returning to Mt. Carmel and 35 had left during the FBI standoff).[45]
Nothing remains of the buildings today, as the entire site was bulldozed by the ATF two weeks after the end of the siege. Only a small chapel, built years after the siege, stands on the site.[15] Despite significant primary source video, much dispute remains as to the actual events of the siege.
If there was real justice Janet Reno would have done more than apologized, (at minimum resignation, and perhaps a trial for manslaughter) and others in charge would have suffered some consequences. As it stands, I think a bunch of them got medals, commendations and promotions.
Thanks for posting this..was active duty army assigned to a country in Africa when this tragedy happened. Never heard about it..During some remote assignments the only news is fed from DOD in message traffic to the embassies or “facilities”.
Did see the news on TV..about the OK bombing when I was in Asia. Wondered what the heck is going on.
The pentagon has a cable tv station..started a few years ago. it is sent world wide.