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ATF negotiate with David Koresh in Waco while shooting at him

A stock photo showing a number '1' police evidence slip and 9mm pistol bullet shells on the floor.
Image: Shutterstock.com

Date

The year before, David Koresh had invited the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms agents into his Waco ranch to inspect for illegally manufactured firearms. When they returned on this day, they came not only with warrants, but helicopters and Trojan cattle trailers containing scores of heavily armed agents.

The ruse didn’t work and a gun battle broke out. As the disaster unfolded, the ATF tried to negotiate a ceasefire, slightly undermined by the fact that they didn’t stop shooting...