Feb 1993, David Koresh, Waco Texas. was it wrong for the FBI to storm the building? what could they have done?

Answer 1

I'm not sure what else they could have done.

The concern was mainly for the children who remained within the compound, and the increasing concern that the Branch Davidians were planning a mass suicide like the Jonestown event, believing themselves to be an "end-time" cult.

My question would be why a religious "Christian" sect feels the need to stockpile weapons and ammunition in the way that Koresh did ?

The fact that the fires started simultaneously around the compound when the attack came and that so few people escaped, would indicate to me that the Branch Davidians had planned for such an event and were fully intent on performing a mass suicide - whether all were committed to this ideal remains open.

Answer 2

The FBI was faced with a "no-win" situation. They knew that Koresh and his followers were well armed. At the same time they were completely unresponsive to any attempts at negotiation. So they had two choices. a) Sit and wait for Koresh to feel cornered, and likely kill everyone in a mass suicide. b) Storm the compound in a desperate attempt to capture it before things went horribly wrong.

Either way, if it didn't work out, the FBI would be raked over the coals for their mistake. So they chose to be proactive instead of passive. Judging by how fast the fire spread, and the fact that not one person made it out, Koresh had allowed, or even accelerated the spread of the fire. It was "suicide by cop" on a huge scale.

It's unfortunate that this happened, but to blame the FBI for it is narrow minded. The simple fact of the matter is this man was in violation of the law, and when the authorities arrived he shot at them. Everything else is a direct result of this.

Answer 3

I don't know what else they could have done. David Koresh and his followers were clearly in violation of several Federal laws. They had shown a propensity towards violence and a disregard for law enforcement. So yes the FBI needed to contain/capture him. They were actually trying to capture him when he came into town but one of his followers got wind of the plot and thus the stand off occurred. So while it is sad that the end result is what it was, the fact is they brought it upon themselves.

Answer 4

It seems that the whole processed was botched in that the FBI used strong armed tactics to subdue what they considered illegal. They didn't follow the proper procedures and when they first attempted to raid the compound, they were repelled by armed combatants. Afterwards, they regrouped with heavier firepower and destroyed the compound and all within.

Since you're asking about the Waco incident, you should also look into Ruby Ridge. What the FBI did to Randy Weaver was terrible. The kind of tyranny one would expect from the Nazi Gestapo.

Answer 5

No it was not wrong. They stormed the building to save lives, especially those of the children whom Koresh was determined to kill rather than surrender. He was a "nut" and the FBI acted appropriately.

Chow!!

Answer 6

that they had a lot of weapons and the government does not like opposition. this is been suggested certainly that Hillary Clinton finally gave the order to burn the area down so as that the long standoff might come to an end, because it became detracting from her husband's presidency.

Answer 7

There is absolutely not one inkling of evidence to suggest children were being molested. THe FBI made that up to get the support of the public. I'll boycott the Bill Deegan run until the day I die.. Bill Deegan, you got yours! You shoot at and kill innocent lives, you deserve to die!