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 On April 19, 1993, the FBI carried out an assault on  Mount Carmel Center, the compound for the religious group Branch Davidians. The assault started when two armored vehicles knocked down walls on separate ends of the compound and slowly pumped tear gas in to get the members to pour out. Three fires started within the compound and within minutes the entire building was engulfed in flames. In total, 74 Branch Davidians, which included 25 children. The event ended a 51 day standoff between the Branch Davidians and the FBI and. ATF. Originally, the Branch Davidians were being investigated for gun trafficking and alleged child abuse, when on February 28, ATF agents traveled to Mount Carmel to execute a search and arrest warrant. It is known that Koresh had several wives, the youngest being 14 years old and also had multiple children with each wife. The Branch Davidians believed that an apocalyptic event and second coming of Christ was imminent and Koresh was the messiah, who would lead the Davidians to salvation.