Key Points About Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City Bombing

Personal Background

• Full Name: Timothy James McVeigh
• Birth Date: April 23, 1968
• Birth Place: Lockport, New York, U.S.
• Raised: By his father in Pendleton, New York after parents divorced
• Early Life: Described as shy and introverted; interested in firearms and computers
• Military Service: Joined the U.S. Army in 1988, served in the Gulf War, and received several service awards including the Bronze Star Medal

Ideologies and Motivations

• Anti-Government Views: Radicalized due to incidents like the Waco siege and Ruby Ridge
• Inspirations: Influenced by anti-government literature; frequented gun shows distributing related material
• Main Motive: Retaliation against the federal government for the Waco siege; sought to ignite a revolution

The Oklahoma City Bombing

• Date: April 19, 1995
• Location: Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, Oklahoma City
• Casualties: 168 people killed, including 19 children; 684 injured
• Method: Used a truck bomb constructed with ammonium nitrate and nitromethane

Arrest and Trial

• Arrest: Caught by a state trooper for driving without license plates and possessing a concealed weapon
• Charges: Indicted on federal counts including conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction
• Trial: Found guilty on all counts and sentenced to death in 1997

Execution

• Date: Executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001
• Remarks: Expressed no remorse for the bombing and declined to appeal

Accomplices

• Terry Nichols: Helped in the bombing plot; sentenced to life in prison
• Michael Fortier: Testified against McVeigh and Nichols in exchange for a reduced sentence

Psychological and Ideological Insights

• Mindset: Saw the bombing as a justified act against a perceived tyrannical government
• Religious Views: Raised Roman Catholic, later identified as agnostic but received last rites before execution

Legacy and Cultural Impact

• Influence: Oklahoma City bombing remains the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history
• Media Representation: Explored in various books, documentaries, and films highlighting right-wing extremism