The Branch Davidians are an offshoot fringe group of the Seventh Day Adventist denomination founded in 1935. On February 28, 1993 the Branch Davidians, led by their Patriarch, David Koresh (aka Vernon Howell), were involved in a deadly shootout with federal agents at the groups’ fortified compound near Waco, Texas, attempting to execute a warrant for weapons violations. A fifty-one-day siege with federal authorities ensued until the FBI attempted to drive members out by ramming the compound with tear gas equipped armored vehicles. In response the Davidians apparently shot some of their own members and set their own structure on fire killing seventy-eight people including many children. Waco soon became a rallying of an emerging political movement distrustful of government known as the “Militia” or “Patriot” movement. In 1999 revelations about the failure of federal authorities to disclose various details about the siege reignited debate on the topic. Nonetheless, a Texas jury cleared the federal government of responsibility in 2000.