On April 19, 1995, Timothy McVeigh drove a yellow Ryder truck to the front of the A.P. Murrah Federal Building, where loaded with an ammonium nitrate fertilizer bomb. This resulted in death of 168 and over injuries to over 680 people.
The bombing was planned with Terry Nichols on the anniversary to the conclusion of the Government's seige on the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas. Multiple targets were planned, but Oklahoma City was choosen over other possibilities due to the ability to hit at many of the agencies involved in the Waco incident and limited non-governmental causualties. Also, it was thought that the open areas surrounding the building would provide pictures of the scene for future propoganda.
Tragically, the conspirators got more than they had actually planned, killing so many that had no goverment connection other than their presence. One such target in Little Rock, Arkansas, was dismissed as providing too many non-governmental casualties because of a florist shop on the first floor. On the first floor of the A.P. Murrah building was a child care facility, which accounts for 15 of the deaths as children.
Over one billion pieces of information was assembled by FBI teams investigating the crime. Over three and one-half tons of evidence was collected.
Timothy McVeigh was tried in Federal Court and executed for his crimes. Timothy McVeigh was the first person executed in the Federal system in 38 years.
Terry Nichols is currently servng a life sentence without the possibility of parole for his federal crimes, and was convicted and sentenced in Oklahoma State courts for 161 life sentences. The Federal charges stem for the Federal officers killed in the crime, where as the 161 charges in state court are related to the 160 non-federal agents and one fetus which were killed.
Visit Requirements
As per the category allows, I would like to make a visit requirement, a photograph and name of one of the benches. I have visited the site MANY times, and my heart breaks everytime I think of the senseless lives lost. With over 168 benches to choose, if you are planning ahead of time, choose someone that has not been named previously. If you are coming back, and see this waymark, do your best to memorialize in some form or way one of the lost.
Additionally, there is another category named "Dedicated Benches." I completed two, with the hopeful intention that others would follow suit and remember this tragedy.
As with other waymarks, please do not virtually visit this place. Actually take the time to spend time visiting the grounds and, if possible, museum. The museum is a little high at $10, but the impact is incredible and not soon to be forgotten!