WAaco, USA - It was 12 years ago today that an armored federal raid on the Branch Davidian complex near Waco ended in flames.
Nearly 80 of the religious sect's members -- including leader David Koresh -- died after the Mount Carmel complex erupted in flames after tear gas was sprayed inside.
The inferno capped a 51-day standoff between the Davidians and authorities that began with a bloody raid by federal agents. Six Davidians and four agents were killed in that raid -- which agents launched to arrest Koresh for stockpiling guns and explosives.
It was on the second anniversary of the fire that the truck bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City killed 168 people.
Federal prosecutors alleged the bombing plot was to mark the anniversary and avenge those who died that day.
Bomber Timothy McVeigh was convicted of federal conspiracy and murder charges and executed in 2001. Conspirator Terry Nichols is serving multiple life sentences on federal and state charges.