David Thibodeau is one of only a few survivors of the Branch Davidian siege that occurred near Waco in 1993. The 51-day incident came to an abrupt conclusion when the entire compound was obliterated by catastrophic fire, resulting in the tragic deaths of 76 Branch Davidians, including 25 children and two pregnant women.  David narrowly escaped through a hole in the building.

The author of the book Waco: A Survivor’s Story, David will share his harrowing story at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at the Allen Public Library. Clinical psychologist Dr. David Nicholson will also be on the library’s stage to discuss that horrendous event.

This tragic event triggered prodigious debate, including congressional hearings in 1995 regarding the FBI’s strategies and use of deadly force.  The origins of the devastating fire continue to be debated. David recalls, "I really thought the FBI was going to kill me [once I left the building], but at that point I thought it was better to die by a bullet to the head than to die by burning to death."

This free live presentation will also be shared virtually at allentx.swagit.com Questions can be submitted until 8:30 p.m. that evening through liveonstage@cityofallen.org

The library is located at 300 N. Allen Dr.  Call 214-509-4911 for additional information.