ATF attempts to serve court authorized warrants on davidian camp
On February 28, 1993, members of the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) attempted to execute a search and arrest warrant in a compound located in Elk, Texas. This compound was home to a religious group led by David Koresh. The attempted raid erupted into a gun fight leaving both federal agents and civilians within the compound dead. A standoff between the ATF and FBI began which lasted 51 days until the FBI attempted an assault on the compound. 76 men, women and children were killed during the assault, and four during the initial warrant stage. This web site is to serve as a source of information for those that wish to know more into one of the largest massacres ever to occur in the United States.
Some people believe that the government overstepped their reach with this assault. Others believe they had no choice. The facts are that the ATF had enough probable cause to obtain court authorized search and arrest warrants for individuals within the compound. Obtaining a federal warrant, whether a search or arrest, is not an easy feat. Magistrate Judges with the United States District Courts scrutinize affidavits and ensure that more than enough probable cause exists before authorization is granted. If that is not enough, which I would suspect it isn't, the weapons that were inside the compound says a lot. Once the agents arrived they were met with an individual standing guard with an AK-47 assault rife. Agents observed automatic weapons and hand grenades. Shortly thereafter, they came under fire by a machine gun which began the next 51 day stand off.
Multiple attempts were made within the next nearly two months to peaceable extract Koresh and his followers with unsuccessful attempts. This led the government to begin planning for an assault on the compound. Knowing the amount of fire power within the camp and already having multiple dead agents and others wounded, it would be a complex operation. This raid led to dead men, women and children. This website will explore preparations leading up to the final assault, and the aftermath of the massacre that happened outside of Waco, Texas on April 19, 1993.
Some people believe that the government overstepped their reach with this assault. Others believe they had no choice. The facts are that the ATF had enough probable cause to obtain court authorized search and arrest warrants for individuals within the compound. Obtaining a federal warrant, whether a search or arrest, is not an easy feat. Magistrate Judges with the United States District Courts scrutinize affidavits and ensure that more than enough probable cause exists before authorization is granted. If that is not enough, which I would suspect it isn't, the weapons that were inside the compound says a lot. Once the agents arrived they were met with an individual standing guard with an AK-47 assault rife. Agents observed automatic weapons and hand grenades. Shortly thereafter, they came under fire by a machine gun which began the next 51 day stand off.
Multiple attempts were made within the next nearly two months to peaceable extract Koresh and his followers with unsuccessful attempts. This led the government to begin planning for an assault on the compound. Knowing the amount of fire power within the camp and already having multiple dead agents and others wounded, it would be a complex operation. This raid led to dead men, women and children. This website will explore preparations leading up to the final assault, and the aftermath of the massacre that happened outside of Waco, Texas on April 19, 1993.
