On April 17, 1993, the 51-day standoff between the FBI and the Branch Davidians, a religious cult led by David Koresh, ended in a violent clash. The siege, which began with a failed raid by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), escalated into a protracted confrontation at the groups compound in Waco, Texas. The standoff ended when the FBI launched a final assault on the compound, resulting in the deaths of 76 individuals, including Koresh. The incident raised questions about the use of force by federal agencies and fueled anti-government sentiment. The Waco siege remains a controversial chapter in U.S. law enforcement history.