A leader in the infamous Ruby Ridge standoff in Idaho 30 years ago has died.
Randy Weaver was known as a survivalist who outlast agents for 11 days in a standoff at his remote home that ended with agents shooting his son and killing his wife in the shootout, in addition to one agent being killed.
Randy Weaver, participant in Ruby Ridge standoff, dies at 74 https://t.co/cYBalMvNFb
— The Independent (@Independent) May 13, 2022
The details
His daughter confirmed his death in a post on Facebook.
“Love you always Dad…. See ya next time I see ya. January 3, 1948 – May 11, 2022,” she wrote. No cause of death was noted.
Randy Weaver, survivalist known for 11-day Ruby Ridge standoff, dies aged 74 https://t.co/KZeY2dP93L
— JJ MacNab (@jjmacnab) May 12, 2022
The background
The standoff more than 30 years ago began with the U.S. Marshall Service attempted to arrest Weaver over failing to appear for a firearms charge.
Weaver refused to surrender and remained inside his cabin for a year and a half.
Marshalls showed up, with a shootout taking place and the family’s dog being killed. Weaver later killed an agent and later lost two of his family members.
Randy Weaver, the man infamous for his 11-day Ruby Ridge standoff with federal agents in Idaho in 1992, has died at the age of 74 on Wednesday, his daughter revealed.
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) May 13, 2022
The controversial trial ended with all charges dropped except his original violation. Weaver served 16 months in jail. The Weaver family later settled in a $3.1 million lawsuit with the Justice Department.
“Randy Weaver is survived by wife Linda Gross, whom he married in 1999, and daughters Sara, Rachel, and Elisheba,” according to the Washington Examiner.
The sad situation at Ruby Ridge remains one of the more controversial law enforcement issues of the past generation. Weaver’s story remains an important one to many still today.