There is substantive evidence that the ATF fired the first shots. Before they had identified themselves. That's one of the reasons the front door disappeared, too much verifiable evidence so it had to go.
I'm glad there are some who have taken the time to learn these critical facts. Maybe there is hope.
There is no evidence at all about who fired the shots first. Davidian survivors say it was the ATF, the ATF says it was the Davidians...
Let's explore some of the facts in this question.
First, according to the testimony of several Davidian survivors
and a number of the ATF raiders who were at the front door when Koresh opened it and asked to see a warrant, there were at least half-a-dozen Davidians standing alongside and behind Koresh all of whom were armed with rifles, including M-1 Garands. If the Davidians had opened fire first, and if you understand the capability of the 30.06 M-1 Garand, you need no assurance from me that more than one or two of those raiders would have been laid out in spite of their body armor. As it was, none of them were shot until they began to break in. As it was, the only person shot in the front-door transaction was Koresh.
The Davidians' lawyer, Richard DeGuerin, has repeatedly stated to the Press that he inspected the front door and the holes in in the heavy kalomein door were clearly made by gunshots from outside -- including the one that struck Koresh.
That front door consisted of two part Kalamein construction. A Kalamein (fireproof) door is made of 1-1/2" thick solid wood which is covered with molded tin. It doesn't burn. Only one half of that door was recovered from the ruins -- the half with no bullet holes.
DeGuerin also stated he saw many bullet holes in the ceiling of the structure, supporting Koresh's complaint that the raiders, being fully aware there were children inside, directed machine-gun fire at the building from a helicopter.
It is a standing rule of engagement forbidding federal agents from discharging their weapons unless they have a target in plain view. Therefore every bullet hole in the walls of the Davidian's building is an example of ATF agents' contempt for rules.
ATF claimed they were "ambushed" by the Davidians. But the Davidians knew the ATF was coming well in advance of their arrival and the raiders had to cross a 90 yard clearing between the residence and the highway where their trailer was parked. Many of the davidians were expert marksmen and were armed with high-power deer rifles and M-1 Garands.
Yet not one shot was fired at the raiders until they began their attempt to break in.
Having the high ground, concealment, and weapons advantage, there is no question that the Davidians could have killed most of the raiders before they reached the front door if they chose to.
