A former UPS driver who unknowingly provided Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh with boxes of military grade guns and ammunition leading up to the 1993 Waco massacre remains haunted by his role in the tragedy.
The crisis began on Feb. 28, 1993, when federal agents attempted to serve a search warrant at Koresh’s compound, believing he and his followers were stockpiling illegal weapons.
After both government agents and Branch Davidians were injured in a shootout, a standoff ensued that would last 51 days, with multiple efforts to negotiate with Koresh met with readings of biblical scripture and attempts to delay the authorities from entry.
When Koresh finally refused to continue talking on April 19, the FBI began shooting tear gas into the building and planning their entry to remove everyone barricaded inside.
Soon after, simultaneous fires broke out in different locations inside the building, with some questioning whether it was the FBI’s flammable ammunition or the Branch Davidian followers who initially set them.
With Koresh and all of his followers still trapped inside, the fire engulfed the building, killing more than 80 people.
Larry Gilbreath, who was one of the few people to regularly go into the Branch Davidian compound and interact with Koresh, spoke with “48 Hours” on CBS as part of a new look at what happened leading up to and during the raid.
Gilbreath, who worked for the United Parcel Service at the time, would frequently deliver boxes to the compound, with Koresh often being the one to sign for them and interact with him upon delivery.
It wasn’t until a box was accidentally opened before delivery that Gilbreath got a sense of what was happening. The opened box contained hand grenades.
Gilbreath says when he went to authorities, he learned he had already delivered numerous assault weapons including AK-47s, AR-15s “and even a grenade launcher,” Gilbreath told 48 Hours.
“I thought it was a little strange that religious people would be ordering guns.”
Hoping to get more information, the ATF started working with Gilbreath, but he believes Koresh began suspecting he was being watched.
For his part, Gilbreath says after 25 years in hiding he could no longer stay silent.
“We paid a pretty good price,” Gilbreath told “48 Hours.” “I have been blamed for the — what happened out there.”
As part of the upcoming episode airing this Friday, 48 Hours plans to shed new light on the questions that still linger from the standoff.
