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Branch Dravidian Started
The Branch Davidians are an apocalyptic cult founded in 1955 by Benjamin Roden. -
Investigation starts
In May 1992, ATF began an extensive investigation of David Koresh (a.k.a. David Wayne Howell) and the Branch Davidians, -
Finding the Compound
ATF special agents from the Dallas, Houston and New Orleans Field Divisions were assigned to execute federal warrants at the Branch Davidian compound on February 28, 1993. -
Beginning of the 51 day siege
agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms attempt to execute arrest and search warrants against David KORESH and the Branch Davidian compound -
FBI takes control around preminter
the FBI takes control with a fully functioning command post. FBI agents in armored vehicles deploy to the compound's perimeter. -
Koresh starts to promise surrender
KORESH makes a one-hour audio tape of his religious teachings, adding a preamble promising to surrender -
Koresh says he is following instructions
Federal agents say that Koresh says he will surrender when he receives ″further instruction from God.″ -
Strategies of negotiations begin
Negations begin and 2 children leave the compound -
some adults leave
Cultist are able to leave the compound -
Koresh tries to make a deal
Koresh sends out word he will surrender after writing a manuscript -
The compound burns down
The compound burns to the ground after FBI agents in an armored vehicle smash the buildings and pump in tear gas. -
President Clinton gets involved
President Clinton defends government handling of Branch Davidian case but promises a full investigation. -
Start searching for bodies
First body in the rubble identified as Koresh’s brother-in-law, David Michael Jones. -
Recovered the bodies
Texas Department of Public Safety says the hunt for bodies has ended with 72 recovered -
Koresh body found
Justice of the Peace David Pareya announces that dental records and X-rays confirm that Koresh’s body was found, with a gunshot wound to the forehead