Questions and conspiracy theories still shadow the Branch Davidian tragedy. It began unfolding 25 years ago Wednesday with a failed raid by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms on the sect's compound near Waco. Almost 80 people, including 17 children, died by the end of the 1993 siege. To help sort facts from myths, here's key information about what started the standoff:
Why did ATF target Koresh and the Branch Davidians?
The McLennan County Sheriff's Department asked ATF to investigate possible federal gun violations in May 1992, after a UPS driver reported delivering big shipments of gun parts, ammo, grenade hulls and chemicals and military gear to Koresh and his followers. The sheriff's department also had reports of explosions and automatic gunfire at Mount Carmel, the sect's property.
