Lon Tomohisa Horiuchi (born June 9, 1954) is an American FBI HRT member and former United States Army officer who was involved in the 1992 Ruby Ridge standoff and 1993 Waco siege. In 1997, Horiuchi was charged with manslaughter for the death of Vicki Weaver at Ruby Ridge, but the charges were later dropped.
Full Answer
Who was the sniper that shot Vicki Weaver?
Lon HoriuchiVicki Weaver was shot by Lon Horiuchi, a FBI sniper at Ruby Ridge. Horiuchi opened fire when he believed Randy Weaver and Harris were preparing to shoot at an FBI helicopter; a bullet struck Vicki Weaver in the face while she held her infant daughter behind the front door of the cabin, and also injured Harris.
What is the story of Ruby Ridge?
Ruby Ridge was the location of a violent 11-day standoff in remote Boundary County, Idaho, beginning on August 21, 1992. U.S. Marshals and federal agents faced off against Randy Weaver, his wife and five children and his friend Kevin Harris.
Who shot the woman at Ruby Ridge?
Lon HoriuchiLon HoriuchiAlma materU.S. Military Academy (1976)OccupationSniperOrganizationFBI Hostage Rescue Team (1984–2014) United States Army (1976–1984)Known forRuby Ridge, Waco controversies2 more rows
Where is the Weaver family now?
These days, the Weavers live near Kalispell, Mont., a city in the northwestern part of the state that is the gateway to Glacier National Park and more than 100 miles east of Ruby Ridge.
Where was the siege at Ruby Ridge filmed?
Chico, CaliforniaThe Siege at Ruby RidgeProduction locationsChico, California Magalia, CaliforniaCinematographyDonald M. MorganEditorsDennis C. Vejar Benjamin A. WeissmanRunning time175 minutes18 more rows
What state is Ruby Ridge in?
Randy Weaver holds the door of his cabin showing holes from bullets fired during the 1992 siege of his Ruby Ridge, Idaho home during testimony before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington on Sept.
What can I watch Ruby Ridge?
American Experience: Ruby Ridge, a documentary movie is available to stream now. Watch it on Apple TV on your Roku device.
How old is Randy Weaver?
74 years (1948–2022)Randy Weaver / Age at death
Who is Lon Horiuchi?
Lon Horiuchi was an infantry officer and graduate of West Point before becoming a sniper with the FBI and a member of its “Hostage Rescue Team,” an Orwellian designation for a unit that functioned as a death squad at Ruby Ridge in 1992 and Waco in 1993. Both Kyle and Horiuchi have been described as deeply religious and devoted family men.
What did Horiuchi do at Ruby Ridge?
Horiuchi’s comrades offered the same defense of the FBI sniper’s murderous actions at Ruby Ridge. By killing Vicki, he acted “to save lives,” insisted fellow FBI sniper Dale Monroe. Like the unnamed Iraqi woman, Vicki must be regarded as a hateful, irrational, marginally human creature who simply didn’t understand that when the Empire makes a proprietary claim on you and your family, it is not only a crime but a sin to resist.
What happened to Kyle in Fallujah?
The invading army of which Kyle was part turned Fallujah into a vast charnel house. Horiuchi’s comrades made an abortive attempt to do the same on a smaller scale at Ruby Ridge. At one point during the standoff, a news crew from KREM-TV in Spokane saw several large canisters of gasoline being loaded onto an FBI helicopter, which took off and circled the Weaver “compound” – only to veer off suddenly after being videotaped by observers on the ground.
Did Horiuchi know Vicky's identity?
Although the FBI would later insist that Vicky’s death was inadvertent, Horiuchi himself would confirm that he knew the identity of his victim. A psychological profile of the family produced by the Bureau identified Vicki, rather than her ex-Green Beret husband, as the dominant personality in the family.
Was Horiuchi's first documented murder a woman?
The victim of Horiuchi’s first documented “kill” was a woman who was holding an infant. Kyle inaugurated his career in the same fashion.
Was Ruby Ridge a kill zone?
It is not an exaggeration to say that Ruby Ridge was considered a “kill zone” – just as Fallujah, Iraq would later be for Kyle and his comrades. Before Horiuchi slaughtered Vicki, he attempted to murder Randy with a shot to his back intended to sever his spinal cord. A sudden and unanticipated movement by Randy saved his life: The intended kill-shot struck his shoulder and exited his armpit. Another shot struck Vicki in her head as she cradled her 10-month-old daughter Elisheba. The bullet passed through her body and wounded Harris.
Who is Lon Horiuchi?from libertarianinstitute.org
Lon Horiuchi was an infantry officer and graduate of West Point before becoming a sniper with the FBI and a member of its “Hostage Rescue Team,” an Orwellian designation for a unit that functioned as a death squad at Ruby Ridge in 1992 and Waco in 1993. Both Kyle and Horiuchi have been described as deeply religious and devoted family men.
Who was Lon Horiuchi's partner at Ruby Ridge?from gunssavelife.com
His bio at Troy was impressive but left out one huge aspect of Monroe’s career. In reality, perhaps most notably Dale Monroe was Lon Horiuchi’s partner at Ruby Ridge. Remember Ruby Ridge? FBI snipers Lon Horiuchi and Dale Monroe tried to kill these men.
What did Horiuchi do at Ruby Ridge?from libertarianinstitute.org
Horiuchi’s comrades offered the same defense of the FBI sniper’s murderous actions at Ruby Ridge. By killing Vicki, he acted “to save lives,” insisted fellow FBI sniper Dale Monroe. Like the unnamed Iraqi woman, Vicki must be regarded as a hateful, irrational, marginally human creature who simply didn’t understand that when the Empire makes a proprietary claim on you and your family, it is not only a crime but a sin to resist.
What happened to Kyle in Fallujah?from libertarianinstitute.org
The invading army of which Kyle was part turned Fallujah into a vast charnel house. Horiuchi’s comrades made an abortive attempt to do the same on a smaller scale at Ruby Ridge. At one point during the standoff, a news crew from KREM-TV in Spokane saw several large canisters of gasoline being loaded onto an FBI helicopter, which took off and circled the Weaver “compound” – only to veer off suddenly after being videotaped by observers on the ground.
How did William Deegan die?from libertarianinstitute.org
A gunfight erupted in which US Marshal William Deegan was killed (almost certainly by friendly fire), suffering a fate not inappropriate for any other prowler or burglar. As Samuel fled to the cabin, he was shot in the back – ripped apart – by automatic weapons fire.
How old was Randy's son when he was arrested?from libertarianinstitute.org
In August 1992, as they prepared to arrest the “fugitive,” one of the marshals alerted the family’s dog, Stryker. Randy’s only son, 14-year-old Samuel, went to investigate, suspecting that Stryker might have encountered a predator. In fact, he had – albeit of the two-legged, tax-devouring variety.
Who killed the woman holding a baby?from gunssavelife.com
The thought that I spent hundreds of dollars with a gun company that employs Lon Horiuchi’ s partner from Ruby Ridge makes me physically nauseous. Lon Horiuchi killed that woman holding a baby. In cold blood. Your employee Dale Monroe said he would have taken the same shot and that it was justified. You asked for input.
Who was the man who pulled the trigger on the Weaver compound?
Horiuchi should not be forgotten. However, at the end of the day, he was simply the guy who pulled the trigger. Equally or more guilty, in my view, are the men who issued the order that any armed adult in the Weaver compound should be taken out, regardless of whether they were posing any threat to anybody. This was essentially an unconstitutional execution order. These men were Larry Potts (from FBI headquarters) and Richard Rogers, the commander of the Hostage Rescue Team. These men have never received any substantial punishment for their participation in murder.
Did Horiuchi follow orders?
Definitely #2. There were at least 2 other sniper teams present that went on record refusing to follow the updated rules of engagement. Only Horiuchi and his spotter followed orders.
Who said if you knew they were going to be in that position, had you been ready, you would have shot?
Spence : “I take it that had you known they were going to be in that position, had you been ready, you would have shot at that point.”
Who said you shot twice and both times you made mistakes?
Spence: “You shot twice and both times you made mistakes; is that correct?”
Who said "That's the man you were going to kill isn't it"?
Spence : “That’s the man you were going to kill, isn’t it?”
Did Horiuchi say yes if the curtain was open?
Horiuchi: “Yes, sir, if the curtain was open.”
What happened to the neighbor in Ruby Ridge?
After a property dispute with a neighbor in Ruby Ridge, the neighbor went to the Boundary County sheriff, their local law enforcement, and said Weaver had made verbal, violent threats against President Ronald Reagan and the governor of Idaho, among others.
What went wrong at Ruby Ridge?
The ATF's assessment of the Weavers as a threat turned out to be very overblown. The firefight between the marshals, Sammy Weaver, and Kevin Harris was a tangle of conflicting narratives, but none of those could quite explain how a 14-year-old was shot in the back.
What happened on day 2 of the Idaho standoff?
On day two of the standoff, with a U.S. Marshal dead, the ATF and U.S. Marshals reached out to the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) for assistance. Before even arriving in Idaho, the FBI changed their rules of engagement for this standoff. Any adult holding a gun, whether assessed as a risk at the time or not, was to be put down with lethal force, according to Famous Trials. This would turn out to be a very important point later, when investigators looked into exactly what happened at Ruby Ridge.
What did Vicki and Randy both believe?
In her writings, Vicki had described society as becoming "corrupt," and she and Randy both became drawn to far right and apocalyptic ideals.
What was Vicki Weaver's concern?
She was particularly concerned about any authority figures who might come and try to take her children, and this was a frequent refrain in the letters she sent.
How long was the standoff at Ruby Ridge?
A long 11 days at Ruby Ridge. Getty Images/Getty Images. Two days of death began the Ruby Ridge standoff, and no one knew what was next. Thankfully, the answer was surprisingly little. While the standoff lasted a total of 11 days, no one died outside of those first two days.
How much did Harris get sued for?
Harris sued separately and received $380,000, according to Famous Trials. Weaver and his daughters left Ruby Ridge behind and moved back to his home state of Iowa. Weaver became a bit of a public figure and published a book about his experience, but otherwise stuck to his goal of keeping to himself.
