Bull----. The Feds pulled up in a canvas covered trailer. They shot the dogs.
Koresh opened the front door w/ a baby in his arms.
One of the agents shot him, killing the baby.
The rest of the agents opened fire on the door as it was closing.
The Davidians opened fire.
Some time later when the agents had enough, they signalled to the Davidians that they were through.
The Davidians ceased firing and allowed the agents to gather the dead and injured and leave.
Once BATF agents had been killed the feds couldn't let them get away with it.
The original raid was a huge fed mistake. They could have arrested Koresh any time he was in town but no, they had to make an example of them.
The raid was to showcase what would happen to any Right wing group that got too militant. IMHO
No, at the time there was serious talk of eliminating the BATF and dividing its duties among other federal law-enforcement agencies.
The raid was intended to be a showcase for the BATF's capabilities and to prove that it was still relevant.
Objection!
Hearsy and anecdotal!
An armed 'Koresh', determined to stay-out-of-jail at all cost, walking the streets and 'approached' by law enforcment would likely start a to-the-death fire-fight!
No?
Yes!