Branch Davidian - Mt. Carmel - Feb 28, 1993

The Branch Davidians are a religious sect who originated from a schism in 1955 from the Davidian Seventh Day Adventists, themselves former members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church who were excommunicated during the 1930s. In 1981, Vernon Wayne Howell (later renamed David Koresh) joined the group as a regular member. In 1990, Howell changed his name to David Koresh, invoking the biblical Kings David and Cyrus. Koresh centered his teachings on the Seven Seals and his ability as the "Lamb" to open them. Koresh supported his beliefs with detailed biblical interpretation, using the Book of Revelation as the lens through which the entire Bible was viewed.

Some former members of Koresh's group alleged that he practiced polygamy with underage brides, physically abused children, and stockpiled illegal weapons. Eventually, legal authorities investigated these charges. On February 28, 1993, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) conducted a raid on Mount Carmel, a structure known to house the Davidians. The raid resulted in the deaths of four agents and six Davidians after the Davidians refused the demands of federal agents. Following this confrontation, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) laid siege to Mount Carmel for 51 days, during which time the FBI and BATF conducted around-the-clock operations including psychological operations (psyops) on the occupants of the complex. The government's siege on the Branch Davidians ended on April 19 when federal agents released CS tear gas into the compound. Fires later broke out and spread quickly through the buildings, killing approximately 79 Branch Davidians, 21 of whom were children. Autopsies confirmed that many of the victims, including David Koresh, had died of single gunshot wounds to their heads.

Google Street View actually lets you drive right up past the Keep Off sign and way back onto the property!