Ruby Ridge Standoff

A Warrant is Issued

As a result of the entrapment by the BATF, in 1991, a warrant was issued by the U.S. District Court for the arrest of Weaver on the gun charges. After he was bailed, a court date of February 21 was set, which was reset for February 20 at the request of the BATF. However, the notice sent to Weaver's lawyer had March 30 for the hearing date. When Weaver failed to show at the February 20 hearing, a warrant was issued for his arrest for failing to appear before the court, even though the judge was notified of the clerical error. Subsequently, the U.S. Marshals Service prepared a threat assessment concerning Weaver that included numerous falsehoods, such as allegations that Weaver had been involved in a bank robbery, that Weaver's cabin was a fortified house with blackout curtains, that Weaver had vehicles in his “compound” that were mounted with heavy caliber guns, and that he would likely shoot officers on sight. By 1992, the U.S. Marshals Service began surveillance of Weaver's cabin.

On April 21, six marshals dressed in camouflage uniforms, black ski masks, and body armor while carrying submachine guns approached the Weaver cabin, ostensibly for a “reconnaissance” mission. When the marshals approached the Weaver cabin, they threw pebbles at the cabin to see if they could attract the attention of the Weavers’ dogs. One of the dogs responded and began to approach the marshals. Weaver, a friend, and his teenage son, who carried a shotgun and rifles at the time, followed the dog. Weaver went in one direction and his son and his friend went in another direction.

As Weaver approached a stand of trees, a camouflaged marshal yelled at Weaver to freeze. Weaver refused and retreated back to the cabin. A short time later, as the dog approached the stand of trees where the marshals were hidden, one of them shot the dog. Weaver's son shot once into the forest and started to run back to the cabin. Weaver yelled to his son to hurry back to the cabin and fired several shots into the air to distract whoever it was who was shooting. At that time, the marshals opened fire and shot Weaver's son in the back, killing him. Weaver's friend returned fire in the direction of the marshals. One of the marshals was struck and killed, although there is some question whether he was killed by Weaver's friend or friendly fire from the other marshals. After taking shelter in the cabin, the Weavers later retrieved their son's body and placed him in a shed on their property. The siege then began. The log road that led to the Weaver's cabin was blockaded. Eventually, hundreds of law enforcement and military personnel were brought in, along with over 250 law enforcement and military vehicles, including armored personnel carriers. The FBI Hostage Rescue Team was brought in, along with specially trained sniper teams.

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