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Sixteen Years Ago Today, A Botched Raid Drew The Attention Of The World
Saturday is the 16th anniversary of the botched federal raid on the Branch Davidian compound outside of Waco that left four agents and six Davidians dead and led to a 51-day standoff that attracted international media attention.
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WACO (February 28, 2009)--Saturday is the 16th anniversary of the botched federal raid on the Branch Davidian compound outside of Waco that left four agents and six Davidians dead and led to a 51-day standoff that attracted international media attention.
Gunfire erupted on Feb. 28, 1993 as about 100 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents raided the group’s compound to search for illegal weapons and to arrest Davidian leader David Koresh.
The gun battle continued for about 45 minutes until a ceasefire could be negotiated to allow agents to remove their dead and injured.
About 20 other agents were wounded in the gun battle, some seriously.
The standoff that followed attracted international media attention.
At one point, about a thousand journalists were gathered along a rural road in an area that became known as Satellite City because of the large number of satellite television transmission trucks.
Early on, Koresh allowed older Davidians and some children to leave the compound, which gave agents reason to hope the standoff would come to a peaceful end.
But within weeks, it became increasingly obvious that Koresh and his followers were in no hurry to leave.
Attorney General Janet Reno initially rejected a plan to use teargas to force the Davidians out, but in April she reconsidered.
On the morning of April 19, 1993, agents in armored vehicles began pumping teargas into the group’s large wood-frame compound.
Around noon, the building caught on fire.
A gusty wind fanned the flames, which spread quickly.
Only a handful of Davidians escaped.
The bodies of about 80, including Koresh, were recovered from the ruins.
Twenty-five of the dead were children, some of whom were killed by their mothers as the flames closed in.
Federal officials say the Davidians set the fire, but surviving Davidians and their supporters reject the claim and say the fire was either started by accident or intentionally during the teargas assault.
Eighteen of the surviving Branch Davidians were later tried in San Antonio.
Eleven were acquitted and seven were convicted on lesser charges.
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Latest Comments
The Mt. Carmel Compound was in rural McLennan County. Reports written in AP style about Mt. Carmel would locate it in reference to the largest, most recognizable municipal entity, in this case Waco, TX. If the incident had happened in rural eastern Bell County, it would have likely been tied to Temple or Belton.
It doesn't matter. Bellmead, Hewitt, China Spring, Elk, it's still Waco. I had never heard of Elk, Tx until reading until I read somebody mentioning it here. Sorry Master P, but a silly acronym like the W.A.C.O. is ridiculous. That's worse than the keep Waco Wacko bumper stickers. Waco needs an identity like a big business(L3 hasn't done this). Waco needs something unique. Too bad Waco couldn't get that Toyota truck plant a few years back. That would have sealed the deal. For too many reasons, Waco is just a gas and fast food stop for a lot of people. I call it home right now because I want to, but Waco needs help. Waco needs young(30 and 40 something) minds moving the city forward. It's 2009, not 1980.
Janet Reno.....Eric Holder. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. We need a revolution; how about leading the way Lone Star State?!
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