My dear friend Gary Noesner—the former FBI agent and the key negotiator during the Waco siege—agreed to conduct a 40-min educational Zoom program for Sri Lankan professionals who are interested in positive communication and hostage negotiations. This is a free session, and we are inviting members from the security forces and educators. Those who like to take part in this program should send their request to transyl2014@gmail.com with their full name and current profession. We are planning to have this program in mid-February 2025.
Dr. Ruwan M Jayatunge M.D. PhD
About Gary Noesner
Gary Noesner was an FBI hostage negotiator. He was heavily involved in numerous crisis incidents covering prison riots, right-wing militia standoffs, religious zealot sieges, terrorist embassy takeovers, airplane hijackings, and over 120 overseas kidnapping cases involving American citizens. Gary Noesner retired from the FBI in 2003 following a 30-year career as an investigator, instructor, and negotiator.
Gary Noesner conducted effective communication with David Koresh—a cult leader and Gary was able to save some hostages held by him. David Koresh (Vernon Howell), a religious fanatic in Texas had illegal weapons and also had an alleged practice of having sex with girls as young as twelve. There were ongoing child physical and sexual abuse inside the compound. David Koresh taught that he was a messiah and brainwashed his followers to prepare for Armageddon.
On Feb. 28, 1993, Noesner flew to Waco, Texas, to serve as a negotiator in a crisis that would change the FBI forever. During an attempt to make an arrest at an isolated compound in Mount Carmel, Texas, 80 armed ATF federal agents were embroiled in a shootout with members of the Branch Davidians, a religious group led by David Koresh. Four agents and five Branch Davidians were killed, Koresh was injured and an armed standoff began that would last until mid-April.
The day after the gun battle, when FBI agents arrived on the scene, Noesner spoke with Koresh on the phone, “Hi, David. This is Gary,” he said. “I just got down here, and I want to make sure that you and your family get out of this situation safe and sound.”
Noesner led a team of 24 negotiators who secured the release of 35 people, mostly children, from the compound. At one point, Koresh agreed to surrender to authorities, but later reneged, saying that God had told him to wait. This led some FBI agents impatient.
The FBI made a full 60 hours of negotiation with Koresh. Gary Noesner was gaining a considerable success. Despite Gary Noesner's recommendations, some of the FBI officers planned a full-scale military operation. Noesner left Waco and, after his departure, no further Davidians were freed.
On April 19 the FBI raided the compound, using military-grade weaponry such as armored tanks, as well as tear gas. A fire broke out—the source of which remains disputed—and 76 of the 85 Branch Davidians, including Koresh and a number of children, were killed.
The Waco siege is similar to the mass suicide at Jonestown that was orchestrated by Jim Jones. It was the 51-day siege between FBI agents and members of the Branch Davidian religious group in Waco, Texas. The siege took place between February 28 and April 19, 1993.
The story of Waco is also the story of disagreements over religious freedom, the rights, and the boundaries of the federal government. Moreover, it was about underestimating the power of communication.
Waco did not end with David Koresh's death. Right-wing anti-government bomber Timothy McVeigh carried out his 1995 Oklahoma City bombings in part as a direct response to Waco, where he had been an eyewitness at the siege.
