Plot Synopsis

DEADLY STANDOFF is a series of one-hour specials that focus on the real stories of separatist and religious groups that ran afoul of American law enforcement to tragic ends. The first six episodes include:

"Waco Burning" (Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 8pm ET/5pm PT): For decades the Branch Davidians existed peacefully on the outskirts of Waco Texas. It's not until David Koresh takes over leadership that things turn malignant for the splinter religious group. Rumors begin to swirl around Waco that Koresh is breaking several laws including very serious allegations of pedophilia and illegal modifications to rifles. These allegations put him and his followers on a collision course with law enforcement. Religion and the government often do not see eye to eye and when they do collide it can be disastrous and in the case of the Branch Davidians outside Waco it would become one of the biggest gun battles in U.S. history and along with a massive blaze that overtook the compound 76 Branch Davidians including Koresh himself would die in one of the most infamous sieges in history. Sharing his story of surviving the Waco compound disaster is Branch Davidian Clive Doyle, former FBI Chief Negotiator Gary Noesner and cult specialist Rick Ross.

"Ruby Ridge (Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 9pm ET/6pm PT): Randy and his wife Vicki Weaver are religious extremists who decide to seclude themselves and their children on the side of a mountain in rural Idaho. They must adjust to a new way of life being completely off the grid and socially isolated. After a chance altercation with one of their few neighbors Randy is flagged by the FBI. Agents who are also investigating other extremists from an Aryan Nation compound try to pull Randy into an undercover operation. When he refuses to cooperate it kicks off a series of tragic events that would become pivotal in redefining rules of engagement for law enforcement and when officers can use deadly force. The federal government would spend millions of dollars, employ hundreds of personnel and use tons of military equipment to trap, track, retrieve and prosecute Randy and family friend Kevin Harris. When officials close in on the Weaver property they kill the family dog and Randy's 14-year-old son Sam pushing Randy over the edge. Sharing her powerful first-hand experience of the events of Ruby Ridge is Randy's daughter Sara Weaver.

"Montana Freemen Militia (Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 10pm ET/7pm PT): After a downturn in the economy many ranchers begin losing their farms or taking out loans that they can't pay back. Desperate times leave many feeling dissatisfied with the U.S. government. Among them is LeRoy Schweitzer who takes the opportunity to in his mind break away from the United States and take advantage of everyone who decides to follow him. Millions of dollars later he begins to feel untouchable but money isn't the only problem. Will the FBI take him and his followers down when things turn violent before anyone gets hurt? Sharing his riveting undercover experience of infiltrating deep inside the Montana Freemen is FBI special agent Tim Healy along with former FBI special agent Tom Kubic who was in charge of the Montana Freemen standoff negotiations which at 81 days became one of the longest standoffs in the history of the FBI.

"War of the Republic of Texas": It's said that everything is bigger in Texas and for members of the Republic of Texas separatist group nothing is bigger than their belief that Texas should be an independent country. Republic of Texas members gained notoriety for their disregard of federal and Texas state laws. Their unusual sense of autonomy arose from a twisted reading of Texas state history. The group is infamous for "paper terrorism" flooding the Texas court system with thousands of false leads against neighbors and government officials. When the group splits into factions and take hostages it forces the Texas Rangers elite law enforcement agency to intervene and bring the Republic of Texas leader Richard McLaren to justice and release hostages. After the fallout lives are lost but justice is served. Sharing their experiences of being on the frontlines of the standoff are former Texas Ranger Jess Malone and former captain of the Texas Rangers Barry Caver.

"The MOVE Bombing": MOVE, originally the Christian Movement for Life, is a communal organization founded in 1972 in Philadelphia. Described as a unique blend of flower power natural living and black liberationists. The group lives in a commune style townhouse and blast messages over loudspeakers irking neighbors and prompting the mayor to intervene with police force. After the botched eviction of MOVE members from their home in 1978 that resulted in the death of a police officer tensions are boiling among police and MOVE members. When MOVE members refuse to leave their townhouse the police with the help of the FBI create an explosive device and drop it onto the roof to blow open a hole for tear gas. The resulting fire would incinerate 65 homes and in the chaos 11 MOVE members would lose their lives including five children. Sharing their first-hand experiences are former Philadelphia Tribune reporter Linn Washington and MOVE member Mike Africa Jr.

"Burning Rainbow Farm": Rainbow Farm is a marijuana farm and campground nestled in the Newberg Township of southern Michigan. The campground is run by Tom Crosslin and his partner Rolland "Rollie" Rohm who held two popular annual marijuana festivals on the farm. After an intoxicated festival goer causes a fatal car accident involving a local teenager the farm falls under investigation for months. Armed with a warrant authorities discover marijuana plants on the farm and charges are brought against Crosslin and Rohm. When they fail to appear for their trial date the FBI arrives but before they could seize the property Crosslin and Rohm burn it to the ground and remain holed up. The standoff sparks a fatal confrontation that would raise questions about whether Crosslin and Rohm actually did aim guns at authorities.