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04/23/93
Former compound site is barren, stark, colorless; Vegetation has been scraped away
By George Kuempel / The Dallas Morning News
WACO-A herd of cattle grazes peacefully as dozens of investigators probe the rubble of what was home to David Koresh and his flock. The scene is as startling as it is stark.
The trees, grass-everything green-has been scraped away by bulldozers, leaving a blackened strip between what was the compound buildings and the federal agents encamped outside.
Behind the barrenness is the rubble, a giant heap of gray ashes.
Like delicate flowers, tiny red and orange flags spring from the
rubble-splashes of color on a colorless scene.
Each orange flag marks a body-or the spot at which one was found. The red flags form a grid put down by investigators to show the exact spot each body, gun and piece of evidence is found.
Other orange flags, some clumped together in groups of three and four, are scattered thoughout the rubble.
The Star of David flag that fluttered over the compound-and was one of the last things to burn-is gone.
In its place is a Texas flag-flying at half staff. And below that, the blue banner of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. On it are four gold stars-one for each of the AFT agents that died in the initial shootout between ATF agents and cult members Feb. 28.
A small of group of reporters was allowed a closer look at the compound on Thursday-the first time they have been allowed closer than two miles from the site.
The most prominent feature is the cinder block, box-like "bunker' located within the bowels of the building-and below the now-gone watch tower.
It looks like a movie scene from the Alamo, without the walls.
With binoculars, a reporter glimpsed what appears to be several
tube-like, blackened objects poking skyward. Several high powered guns mounted on tripods were found there, officials said.
A small tent stands just in front of the rubble. Beside it are five bulging body bags, stacked neatly side by side.
Two more are added in the 30 minutes the reporters are allowed.
Three dozen workers-lab technicians, medical examiners,
photographers and investigators-make their way gingerly through the debris.
For all the activity, the scene is eerily quiet.
At the front of the compound are two small lakes. A small boat lies
on the bank, its bottom up. An old bus stands off by itself; other worn-out vehicles are scattered about.
One stands out. There, under a tree is David Koresh's beloved black 1968 Camaro.
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