Those who perished with Koresh are considered more his victims, though they don't escape criticism for following what some call a demented pastor. A growing minority blame federal agents for provoking the attack either through stupidity or malice. But the tragic drama played out at Mount Carmel is merely the effect of forces placed in motion earlier by others. We have to look elsewhere for the causes and the real culprits. After all, there is no evidence that Koresh and his followers, however strange their religious beliefs, harmed anyone or planned to do so prior to the incident.
All evidence indicates that they defended themselves against an unprovoked attack by federal agents.
The federal agents themselves were only following orders. That's not to exonerate them of blame. They swear an oath to the Constitution of the United States, yet most of them have probably never read that document or understand its contents. Taking the oath has become a mere formality, a public display of patriotism. They should have known that their orders and the edicts under which they were operating were unlawful.