WACO, TEXAS, USA – APRIL 19, 1993 Waco siege was one of the most well-known and controversial confrontations between American federal agencies and an armed religious community in modern US history. It took place in 1993 in the area near the city of Waco in Texas, where the Mount Carmel complex was located, inhabited by a group called the Branch Davidians led by David Koresh.
The conflict began on February 28, 1993, when the US ATF attempted to carry out a raid and arrest the group’s leadership due to suspicion of illegal weapons possession. However, the operation quickly turned into a shootout in which four federal agents and several members of the community were killed. After that, the FBI took over the scene and a long siege began, lasting a total of 51 days.
During the standoff, negotiations took place, during which some people managed to leave the compound, but most remained inside. The situation gradually escalated, and US authorities decided on a final assault. On April 19, 1993, armored vehicles and tear gas were used on the complex in an effort to force the people inside to leave the building.
Shortly afterward, a fire broke out inside the compound, which spread very quickly and destroyed the entire complex. Approximately 76 members of the Branch Davidians died, including women and children, as well as their leader David Koresh.
To this day, one of the most disputed questions of the case is how exactly the fire started. The official investigation concluded that the fire was started by the members of the community themselves, while critics argue that the actions of federal agents during the operation also contributed to the tragedy.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waco_siege
