Remembering The 51 Day Standoff In Waco, Texas – 25 Years Later

The Crucial First Few Days

Photo Credits: The Dallas Morning News

During the first few days, the FBI had thought that they had made some major progress on the siege when they reached an agreement with Koresh that the Branch Davidians peacefully leave the compound in return for a message recorded by Koresh that would be broadcasted on national radio. Koresh made the broadcast but then told the negotiators that he was told by God to remain in the building and wait. However, they managed to negotiate the release of 19 children, ranging from five months to 12 years old but without their parents. Yet, 98 people still remained inside of the building. After interviewing the children, it was clear that they had been physically and sexually abused well before the standoff.