Born Vernon Howell in Texas, this religious cult leader changed his name to David Koresh in or around 1990, claiming to be the spiritual leader of the House of David.
In 1981 he had hooked up with a sect called the Branch Davidians, a group of well intentioned people who believed the end of days was near and that a new Messianh would come to escort them to glory.
This one-time loner convinced the sect's members that he was that Messiah and led his flock to a spot outside Waco, where they constructed a fortress-like compound and chapel on a hill. They also armed themselves to the teeth.
Allegations of weapons violations and child abuse were made, and when federal agents arrived in 1993 to serve Koresh a warrant, they were repulsed at gunpoint. It was reported that Koresh was requiring his followers to remain celibate while he was sleeping with their wives and daughters.
After a nearly two month-long standoff,officers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms tried to storm the compound. The Davidians fired back.
Federal agents lobbed tear gas cannisters into the wood-constructed compound, which caught fire. In the blaze, Koresh, 23 children and 53 other adults perished.
Some surviving Davidians reportedly still go to the site, patiently waiting for Koresh to come for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment