Timothy McVeigh was born on April 23, 1968, in New York. He grew up in a working-class family with his parents William and Mildred. From a young age, McVeigh showed an interest in firearms and explosives, often spending hours shooting and experimenting with homemade bombs in the woods near his home.
After graduating from high school, McVeigh enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he excelled as a marksman and was eventually selected to join the Special Forces. He served in the Gulf War and was awarded several commendations for his bravery and skill in combat. After leaving the military, McVeigh briefly joined the U.S. Air Force before embarking on a career as a security guard.
During his time as a security guard, McVeigh became increasingly disillusioned with the government, which he perceived as corrupt and oppressive. He frequently expressed his anti-government sentiments to his coworkers, often quoting revolutionary figures like Patrick Henry. In 1995, McVeigh's anger reached a boiling point, leading him to plot a devastating attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
On April 19, 1995, McVeigh carried out his plan, detonating a truck bomb outside the federal building. The explosion killed 168 people, including 19 children, and injured hundreds more. It was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history and shocked the nation to its core.
McVeigh was arrested shortly after the bombing and charged with multiple counts of murder and terrorism. During his trial, he showed no remorse for his actions, claiming that the government's actions at Ruby Ridge and Waco had fueled his rage. In 1997, McVeigh was convicted and sentenced to death.
Timothy McVeigh's name has become synonymous with extreme right-wing extremism and domestic terrorism. His actions in Oklahoma City continue to haunt the survivors and the families of the victims, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers of radicalization and hate. Despite his execution in 2001, McVeigh's legacy lives on as a cautionary tale of the destructive power of hatred and violence.