Loading...The 1993 Waco Disaster—How Not to Negotiate with Apocalyptic Believers
James D. Tabor, retired professor of Religious Studies, UNC Charlotte
In this three-part series James Tabor surveys what happened 30 years ago outside Waco, TX as Federal authorities violently confronted a group of apocalyptic believers who believed that David Koresh, their prophetic leader was a final messianic messenger of the book of Revelation.
Part I: Setting the Scene for a Fifty-One Day Standoff
The FBI agents called to Mount Carmel center outside Waco, Texas, on February 28, 1993, can hardly be expected to have packed their Bibles. In retrospect, it would not have been such a bad idea. The news of the bloody shoot-out between agents of the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) and an obscure religious group known as the Branch Davidians, on the peaceful Sunday morning had been flashed around the world. For months the BATF had planned a “search and arrest” assault on the group based on allegations that they possessed illegal firearms materials and were possibly converting AR-15 semiautomatic rifles into machine guns. At 7:30 A.M. an eighty-vehicle convoy, including two cattle trailers pulled by pickup trucks loaded with seventy-six heavily armed BATF agents, had made its way to a staging area a few miles from the rural Mount Carmel property. Shortly after 9:00 A.M. the assault began. The two cattle trailers drove rapidly up to the property, halted in front, and the BATF agents stormed the center. Over head two Blackhawk helicopters arrived simultaneously. Local newspaper and television people, who had been alerted to the raid, watched and filmed from a distance. On Saturday, the previous day, the Waco Tribune–Herald had begun to publish a dramatic front-pagese series called “The Sinful Messiah,” which alleged that the `cult’ and its leader, David Koresh, were guilty of bizarre sexual practices, child abuse, and paramilitary activities.
Who fired the first shot that morning is disputed. David Koresh, the leader of the Branch Davidians, claimed that he went to the front door and shouted to the arriving agents, “Get back, we have women and children in here, let’s talk,” only to be cut off by a burst of gunfire. The BATF claims that they tried to identify themselves, shouting to Koresh that they had a warrant, but were met with a hail of bullets. Later, in the 1994 San Antonio trial of eleven Branch Davidians on charges of conspiracy to murder, it came out that the BATF had planned a “dynamic entry” with no realistic contingency for a peaceful serving of the search warrant. A few minutes into the raid, the Branch Davidians called their local 911 number, demanding that the attack cease. By noon a cease-fire had been arranged. The BATF claims they were ambushed and outgunned by the Branch Davidians, who had known they were coming. The Branch Davidians maintain that their resistance was minimal and in self-defense, and that their 911 call demonstrated their nonconfrontational stance on that day. A standoff ensued, with Koresh and his followers inside refusing to surrender. Within hours the major television and print media had arrived, and the FBI was called in. For the next fifty-one days the situation at Waco dominated the news. David Koresh had instantly become a household name, and the public was hungry for information about this obscure thirty-three-year-old Bible-quoting Texan and his followers.
It all ended on Monday, April 19. Just after 6:00 A.M., two specially equipped M-60 tanks began to strategically punch holes into the Mount Carmel structure and insert CS gas in an effort to force the Davidians out. The wind was high that day, and most of the tear gas seemed to blow away. Over the next six hours the operation was stepped up, and four Bradley vehicles joined the tanks, firing 40 mm canisters of gas through the windows. A loudspeaker blared, “David, you have had your 15 minutes of fame…. Vernon [Koresh’s given name] is no longer the Messiah. Leave the building now. You are under arrest. This standoff is over.” Around noon, smoke was seen coming from the second-story windows, and within minutes the thin frame building was engulfed in an uncontrollable fire, fanned by the gusty winds. The entire scene was carried live to the world over television satellite. Only nine Davidians were able to escape the fire. The bodies of most of the women and children were found huddled together in a concrete storage area near the kitchen, where they had apparently been trapped by falling debris.
The Waco operation turned out to be one of the most massive and tragic in the history of United States law enforcement. In the initial raid, four BATF agents were killed and twenty wounded, while six Branch Davidians were fatally shot, with four others wounded. The Branch Davidians inside the rambling Mount Carmel complex following the raid numbered approximately 123 persons, including 43 children. They were heavily armed and solidly behind their leader. On April 19, when it all came to a fiery end, 74 Branch Davidians were listed dead, including 21 children under the age of fourteen. In the aftermath BATF director Stephen Higgins and five other high-ranking officials resigned from the agency.
On the very evening following the initial Sunday raid by the BATF, Koresh, who had been seriously wounded, spoke several times by live telephone hookup over Dallas radio station KRLD and CNN cable television. Koresh began, in those gripping interviews, the first of hundreds of hours of explanations, based on his understanding of the biblical apocalyptic significance of the situation in which he found himself. His last direct communication with anyone other than government agents was an impromptu conversation with the station manager Charlie Serafin over KRLD radio at 1:50 A.M. the next morning. In those live broadcasts Koresh offered the key to the Branch Davidians’ biblical understanding of events. Unfortunately, neither the FBI agents in charge nor the myriad of advisers upon whom they relied could comprehend their perspective.
By that Monday morning, March 1, the FBI had already been called in and was in the process of taking over operations from the BATF. FBI Special Agent Jeff Jamar, from San Antonio, Texas, had taken command of the situation. The FBI fifty-person Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), a counterterrorist unit, was arriving. The situation was categorized by the FBI on this very first day of the siege as a “complex Hostage/Barricade rescue situation” even though the FBI recognized that many of the elements typically present in hostage situations were lacking. As the FBI itself later noted, “Koresh had made no threats, set no deadlines, and made no demands. Koresh and his followers were at Mount Carmel where they wanted to be and living under conditions that were only marginally more severe than they were accustomed to.” Nonetheless, negotiators and tactical personnel were called in, SWAT teams were put in place, and a method of dealing with the Branch Davidians was initiated, which was basically followed for the next fifty days—leading to the tragedy on April 19.
Listening carefully to what Koresh said in those live interviews over KRLD and CNN, a person familiar with the biblical texts could have perceived the situation in wholly different terms from the government’s “hostage rescue.” For the Branch Davidians, no one was a hostage. The only “rescue” they needed was from the government itself. In their view, the federal agents represented an evil government system, referred to in the book of Revelation as “Babylon.” The idea of “surrendering to proper authority,” as the government demanded throughout the next seven weeks, was absolutely out of the question for these believers unless or until they became convinced it was what God willed. As they saw it, their group had been wantonly attacked and slaughtered by government agents whom they understood to be in opposition to both God and his anointed prophet David Koresh. Their fate was now in God’s hands.
The Waco situation could have been handled differently and possibly resolved peacefully. This is not unfounded speculation or wishful thinking. It is the considered opinion of the lawyers who spent the most time with the Davidians during the siege and of various scholars of religion who understand biblical apocalyptic belief systems such as
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Thank you for trying to help that situation.
I grew up in a millenarian cult with the rest of my cousins. Once around 10 years old, we were on my grandparents’ ranch looking outside at a wild thunder and lightening show. My older cousin said, “At Armageddon, there will be Army trucks coming up to get (she meant persecute) us.” I imagined what we believed would happen (because we heard it at the hall and from family), with army troop transports coming up the long dirt road, like everyone used to see on TV in Germany during the cold war all the time.
You are spot on that the government’s arrogance and incompetence in planning a dynamic entry with Blackhawks overhead and film crews tipped off reinforced the feeling this was fulfillment of prophecy for them. Stupidity led to unnecessary deaths.
I loathe religious hucksters, but i have zero faith in the government anymore. Too many times we have been lied to about awful things, including the Waco debacle.
Yes, it is a complex case on both sides…first to get the facts straight, then to make any kind of fair or reasoned judgments. That we have tried to do for the past 30 years. Certain things have surface. I will post links to much further information tomorrow, on my jamestabor.com, blog–the post is linked at the end of Part III.
Let me just say here the same thing I said on my recent Youtube video, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/IizTXT9tQ9Y. I just posted this this week and it contains the latest overview as I see things along with a totally NEW bit of very vitally important information. I got over 100 comments already at that site, which you can only imagine, the good, bad, and the ugly–not like you fine folks in Bart’s blog…who write with reason and a measure of knowledge, so I pinned this comment to the top of that page:
Just a couple of things that several have mentioned that I can maybe clarify. First and foremost, the singular goal of Dr. Arnold and I was to help faciliate a peaceful ending without further loss of life…period. That was paramount, above anything about David, his teachings, his lifestyle with his wives, or any other things about him, including the “stockpiling” of illegal weapons, which they were not doing. Second, not only did we publish Koresh’s manuscript but I wrote a complete commentary on it. You can find it easily on-line, and also if you have my book, Why Waco, it is published in the back of the book.
Let me also say that you need to read–no promotion here–just plain and simple facts–Bart’s new book, Armageddon! It has a very well one section on Waco–but to really understand what we in the field call “Prophecy Believe” in its wider historical context you have to delve deep. Waco has a pre-history–and unfortunately an “afterlife,” if you permit a bad metaphor!
Prof Ehrman, do you agree or disagree with Prof James Tabor that Jesus died on a Thursday and not on a Friday? That there were 2 Sabbaths on the week that Jesus died? He cites that in Matthew 28:1, the word Sabbath is plural in the original Greek.
Well nothing to do with Waco directly so far as I can say…and not directed to me! But heck, why not respond. First, the Matthew 28:1 idea is just a passing notation…made by many, and σαββατον as well as the plural σαββατων, can be used interchangeable, meaning the “first of the sabbath/i.e. week” or “first of the sabbaths/i.e. weeks)–which means Sunday in Greek…the 8th day of the week..first of the seven day count until Shabbat. The important Thursday argument has to do with the New Moon in the year 30 CE around our Gregorian March–and what day the 14th would fall two week later. The later Hillel II mathematical calendar after the 70-133CE exile is not valid in 2nd Temple times. The lunar appearances are accurate to the second…so that is my main reason for coming up with Thursday. The astrological program I use is from the Space program, nothing to do with any theological ideas. Hope that helps.
I was too young to remember. I have read about it though.
I was definitely old enough and was following the standoff with interest, but little understanding. Then, on my 45th birthday, the 19th, it came to its violent, unnecessary conclusion. Kinda took the edge off our celebration. Later Timothy McVey chose the same day to bomb the Murrah bldg in Oklahoma City. There are apparently several violent anniversaries that taint this day. Of course, lots of other people were also born on that day. (And pick any disaster day — it’s always somebody’s birthday.)
It’s valuable to finally understand what the view of the Branch Davidians was of the events.
Truly a sad,sad story. Hard to believe 30 yrs have passed. Didn’t realize James. you were involved in the hearings of this tragedy. It is hard to know,but what do you feel prompted the authorities to act as they did with lethal force against a religious group who seemed harmless,children inside, the use of CS gas,tanks and so forth to weaponize them brutally ? What laws were they breaking,polygamy ? This was unjustified murder in my view!!
Was it ever concluded what caused the fire inside the compound ? Or was it a mass suicide?
That is a complex topic and is thoroughly discussed in the three hour video of the whole Waco tragedy now on my Youtube Channel, see: https://jamestabor.com/the-waco-tragedy-looking-back-after-thirty-years/
Also see all the other resources here, just posted this morning: https://jamestabor.com/the-waco-tragedy-looking-back-after-thirty-years/
Thanks! Plenty of resources to investigate
Yes, that is the case with most of my students of course, and has been for more than a decade…it was THIRTY years ago…but notice it still gets talked about–four TV series out this month and three major books, plus Bart’s new book devotes a fair amount to the topic…it is important for what it represents, on many levels…including some malevolent ones…see the new Parmount/Showtime series just released Waco: The Aftermath. Various crazy militants like Alex Jones, etc. all took the narrative over–who have not the least clue about Koresh’s message or why the people were there.
I recall watching a dramatization some years back.
Yes, you are likely talking about the Paramount production by the Dowdle brothers called “Waco” that was on Netflix in 2018. It is well done, and included both FBI and Davidians input, as well as that of me and Dr. Arnold. Combined with superb acting…Michael Shannon, Taylor Kitsch, Rory Culkin. And I even have a character! Anyway, you can watch it now on Parmount/Showtime, plus their followup series Waco: The Aftermath, which is another whole side of the story–how militant groups of the likes of Alex Jones and Timothy McVeigh, took up Waco as their cause–something Koresh and the Davidians would have never approved of!
It has some errors at the end, but overall gave a good sense of all sides in my view. I will offer a full evaluation tomorrow on all these things on my blog post: https://jamestabor.com/the-waco-tragedy-looking-back-after-thirty-years/
Dear Professor Tabor, I was a university student when Chinese student movement went off in 1989. I wanted to join but was too young to travel to Beijing alone. Mom & Dad were wise to keep me in home province. We all watched in horror on TV when tanks rolled into Tiananmen Square in Beijing. After that my parents felt it would be safer to send me to “Peaceful America” for graduate studies. I arrived in Texas for 1993 spring semester, and had no TV in my apartment. Didn’t know anything about WACO until I came across Christianity a few years ago and started to study church history.
I guess WACO is American version of Tiananmen Square.
Hi Shelley…of course there are many differences in comparing any two historic events. Here is my take on what made Koresh and the Davidians different from most other groups, political, apocalyptic, or whatever…
https://youtu.be/Q4KCXlzqhQI
Dear Professor, I watched the video and felt the great sense of loss with all of you. I am really sorry for your loss.
You are right – WACO was different from Tiananmen Square. The students were unarmed.
WACO was like a war between well-armed militia groups. They were “cut from same cloth”, controlled by the same SPIRIT of bad intention from the beginning, seeking each other’s total destruciton. The women and their children were casualties of their men’s war.
I am learning to identify that SPIRIT as quickly as I see it raise its ugly head. I am learning to “run to the hills” as soon as that SPIRIT appears, so as to preserve my family. Book of Genesis opened with a whole bunch of separations – God wisely separated the good from the rest. I am learning to do the same.
Hopefully other good-intentioned humans/parents may have my knowledge so they may choose wisely for themselves and their families. Amen.
waco was not like TianAnMen. Waco is less than Falungung
I was at June3 Los Angeles demonstrations
Hello sLiu, I understand your heart – “We do not forget. We do not give in.”
On the other hand, I have learned a lot from Jesus, and have grown a lot from Tiananmen Square. I have learned to apply self-discipline to myself (严于律己) and give grace to others (宽以待人).
Now that I am a parent myself and have to deal with rebellion of my own beloved child, I have learned to forgive mistakes of governments and to celebrate their willing efforts towards betterment.
After all, governments are manned by ordinary citizens of the places. Quality of citizenry determines quality of the government. Citizenry’s self-improvement directly results in improvement of their government.
Thanks for these comments Shelleyso…
Dear Professor, I thank you for your teachings, and Dr. Ehrman’s teaching. It is not only your scholarly expertise, but also your teachings of humanity and kindness. To me that is essence of Christ’s work – nurturing the general public with teachings of high moral standards.
Mr tabor. While I agree that the FBI and the ATF made mistakes, I think you may go too far in making them seem like the instruments of a terrorist state or even a totalitarian one like China. They are enforcing the laws in a constitutional democracy, which means they face a lot of situations that are ambiguous and unprecedented. You have had 30 years to hone your case against them. They were in the midst of a siege which was distracting the attention of all of US law enforcement for 51 days as well as too much of the nations attention on a group that seemed determined to destroy itself because of their devotion to their leader. I don’t believe anyone can say they know that Koresh ever would have come out peacefully. His history up to that point seems to be one of inconsistent and evolving beliefs and that most likely he was using his understanding of Biblical passages to manipulate, probably unconsciously, his followers and probably law enforcement to satisfy psychological and mental health issues he had, but couldn’t control. I know my opinion is not popular.
The FBI tactics were reprehensible and are terroristic practices that should never be employed against anyone, especially on American citizens. It is uncomprehensible to me how a woman who drove a little red truck could support this.
Bart,
Very interested to see you get into this. This is, in my opinion, the greatest thing lacking in your debate with evangelicals – your ability to recall parallel examples to the Jesus movement noted in sociology. In the case of the Branch Davidians – when faced with certain death – his disciples BURNED THEMSELVES, THEIR WIVES, AND THEIR CHILDREN ALIVE. I’ve yet to listen to this series of posts completely, but I recently watched the new Netflix documentary on the events of the siege and person of David Karesh. I then had the chance to listen to you and Justin Bass’ debate on Unbelievable Radio. I know Bass personally. I’ve had the chance to sit down with him over coffee a number of times and talk with him at local Reasonable Faith meetings. It’s amazing to me what apologists will claim the disciples “wouldn’t” have done or thought – as if some beliefs or actions are just to wild and crazy for humans. Umm. Excuse me? Have you lived on this planet? The Jesus movement was much more like these wild cults of personality, performing exorcisms and speaking tongues, than they were a new Vedic or Buddhist school of thought.