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

Koresh Believed He Was The Son of God

Photo Credits: Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Sygma via Getty Images

Over time, negotiations and discussions with Koresh became harder with his statements to the negotiators becoming increasingly unhinged. He began calling himself the ‘Second Coming of Christ’ and stated he had been commanded by his father in heaven to remain in the compound. It was during this time that the FBI started to consider using snipers to kill Koresh along with other important Branch Davidian leaders. Although Koresh had previously claimed that he and his followers had no intentions to commit suicide, the FBI was still wary that he might instigate a mass suicide/murder of his followers. They decided they needed an assault.