30th Anniversary Of Branch Davidian Compound Fire

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the end of the Branch Davidian standoff with federal authorities near Waco. More than 75 people died during the siege. Federal agents fired tear gas into the religious compound on April 19, 1993, and a fire broke out, ending the 51-day standoff. Most of the Branch Davidian members, including many children, died.

The siege began in February of that year when federal agents tried to issue an illegal weapons warrant to the sect's leader, David Koresh. Gunfire erupted as ATF agents approached the church with tanks, and four agents and six Branch Davidians were killed in the gun battle.