The Weaver Family and the Siege at Ruby Ridge
Born in Iowa in 1948, Randy Weaver was raised in a devoutly religious household with 3 siblings (“Randy Weaver Biography”). He joined the Army during the Vietnam War, eventually becoming a Green Beret. He left the military after serving for three years and married a college classmate, Vicki Jordison. Many Americans started their adult lives in manner similar to that of Randy and Vicki Weaver. There was little evidence early on that the couple suggesting the couple would play a pivotal role in the anti-government, radical right, “patriot” militia movement that dominated the 1990s and still lingers today.
Following their marriage, the Weavers resided in Cedar Falls, Iowa and appeared to be the
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Two Marshals were able to make their way down the mountain and contact the local Sheriff’s office and the Marshals Headquarters in Washington DC for assistance. The local Sheriff SWAT team was activated and fearing for lives of the trapped Marshals, the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) was activated. The USMS does not have authority to investigate to investigate “Assaults on Federal Officers” (AFOs) and the FBI has jurisdiction in these types of events. Eventually, law enforcement from the Boundary County Sheriff’s office, Idaho State Police and National Guard, US Border Patrol and Marshal’s Service and the FBI were en route to Ruby Ridge. The siege at Ruby Ridge began with hundreds of law enforcement officials surrounding the Weaver cabin with the family secluded …show more content…
There Gritz discovered that Vicki Weaver had been killed and seeing that Kevin Harris was seriously wounded Gritz arraigned for Harris’ surrender so that he could receive medical attention. Convincing Weaver to surrender was another issue. Time was ticking and the FBI was threatening to destroy the Weaver cabin, likely killing the occupants inside. Gritz contacted a lawyer, Gerry Spence, known for representing clients in cases against the government. Spence agreed to take the case and along with an agreement with the US Attorney General’s office to allow Weaver to testify in front of the grand jury, this provided enough reason for Randy Weaver to finally surrender on August 31, 1992 – ending the 11 day