Changes

ATF agents place Mt. Carmel under surveillance in June of 1992.  As part of their request for a search warrant, an ATF affidavit claimed there were hundreds of fully automatic weapons in the compound.   

ATF agents place Mt. Carmel under surveillance in June of 1992.  As part of their request for a search warrant, an ATF affidavit claimed there were hundreds of fully automatic weapons in the compound.   

On February 28, 1993, ATF agents who had received special forces training attempted to execute the search warrant on the Mt. Carmel property.  Koresh, who had been tipped off to the raid, had secured women and children in the interior of the compound, and instructed able-bodied men to take defensive positions on the perimeter.  ATF agents approached the compound in unmarked pickup trucks, to meet Korseh, who stood in their path outside the compound.  ATF agents opened fire the dogs Koresh had with him, some Davidians heard the shots, and, thinking Koresh was under attack, fired on the ATF agents.  Korseh retreated inside and the agents shot at the defensive positions before retreating.  Four ATF agents and five Davidians were killed in the initial assault.

On February 28, 1993, ATF agents who had received special forces training attempted to execute the search warrant on the Mt. Carmel property.  Koresh, who had been tipped off to the raid, had secured women and children in the interior of the compound, and instructed able-bodied men to take defensive positions on the perimeter.  ATF agents approached the compound in unmarked pickup trucks, to meet Korseh, who stood in their path outside the compound.  ATF agents opened fire on the dogs Koresh had with him, some Davidians heard the shots, and, thinking Koresh was under attack, fired on the ATF agents.  Korseh retreated inside and the agents shot at the defensive positions before retreating.  Four ATF agents and five Davidians were killed in the initial assault.

After a friend of Koresh, the sheriff of nearby Waco, negotiated a ceasefire, the Davidians allowed ATF agents to retrieve their wounded and dead from the area immediately surrounding the compound.  Later that day, a Davidian was shot on a patrol around the compound area.

After a friend of Koresh, the sheriff of nearby Waco, negotiated a ceasefire, the Davidians allowed ATF agents to retrieve their wounded and dead from the area immediately surrounding the compound.  Later that day, a Davidian was shot on a patrol around the compound area.

A tense standoff ensued for several weeks in which ATF agents prevent any supplies from reaching Mt. Carmel, but did not attempt to attack the compound.

A tense standoff ensued for several weeks in which ATF agents preventing any supplies from reaching Mt. Carmel, but did not attempt to attack the compound.

Despite some agreements being reached, such as the release of the children without their parents, by April 19, the ATF decided not to continue the siege and attacked on April 19.  Under the cover of assault weapon fire, and in riot vehicles, ATF agents approached the compound and set it on fire, killing almost eighty people, including many children.  Davidians who escaped the fire report being fired at as they fled the flames.

Despite some agreements being reached, such as the release of the children without their parents, by April 19, the ATF decided not to continue the siege and attacked on April 19.  Under the cover of assault weapon fire, and in riot vehicles, ATF agents approached the compound and set it on fire, killing almost eighty people, including many children.  Davidians who escaped the fire report being fired at as they fled the flames.