Tense Siege in Texas

Strange tales filtered out of the 78-acre compound of the Branch Davidian cult near Waco, Texas, but reports of possible mass suicide spurred a surprise assault on Sunday by the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Prepared, cult members killed four feds and wounded 16. During the ensuing week of siege, leader David Koresh got radio time but reneged on his promise to surrender afterward. Of 140 in the compound, he allowed 23 to leave; they had reportedly seen 10 dead inside. ATF and FBI agents prepared for a long stakeout: the Davidians are said to have massive stocks of food.