The Branch Davidians was a sect of the Seventh Day Adventists based on the idea that they need to reach a state of moral maturity to prepare for the imminent return of jesus christ. Led by self proclaimed messiah, David Koresh, who changed his name from Vernon Howell to embody King David as the anointed one. He began his journey as the leader by taking some young women to be his wives. Koresh asserted himself as the ideal mate for the female members, with the intention to create a new generation of children who would, in due time, rule the world.
However, because some of his wives were teenagers, there were allegations of child abuse. The movement began to make headlines in 1992 with a trial when an ex member sued for custody over his daughter. Accusations of polygamy and sex with underage girls, paired with the retail gun business Koresh was launching, the authorities became intrigued. Investigators were concerned that because of the movements rhetoric of an end of time, they would cause legitimate harm to the neighbors of the compound in Waco, Texas. This spawned a 51 day standoff followed by a raid between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) and the Davidians.
Initially, the ATF went in with the intent to forcibly enter rather than wait for a warrant. This resulted in 51 days of taunting from the outside with music, bright lights, bulldozers, and flash-bang grenades. On April 19th 1993 they ultimately went in with tear gas and began the raid. Because the building lacked sound structure, it burst into flames and was reduced to nothing in less than an hour. Nearly 80 people lost their lives that day, including 4 law enforcement officers. Of the roughly 25 Davidian survivors, some were tried but not convicted for the murder of the officers. Although, several did receive lengthy sentences for their roles in the raid.
This remains of the most infamous raids in cult history. Many of the survivors attempted to rebuild the movement, but it was never the same.
Austin Hepburn says:
Reading this makes me wonder if raids are even effective to began with. If so many people died, including officers themselves, was the raid worth it? I’m sure there could have been a more effective way to capture the cult without so much violence.
October 18, 2018 — 4:23 pm
Tony says:
Just watched the documentary on Fais. It was obviously not about capturing anyone but about proving that the government was stronger and smarter. It was all about proving them wrong in the government right.
October 6, 2021 — 6:32 pm
Lisa Li says:
Waco Siege was a huge raid in US history. From what I remember about learning about it, the US government was blamed for this because of their lack of control in the situation.I also found it interesting that this cult believes in an end time, allowing them to act without fear of death since they would already be dying anyways.
October 18, 2018 — 4:33 pm
Emma Lutz says:
A 51-day long raid is insane given the consequences and costs of this engagement. While there are crazy groups like the Branch Davidians in the world, it seems like there could be better ways to handle the situation. Posts like this explain why I always enjoy reading your blogs.
October 19, 2018 — 3:41 am