Weaver, participant in 1992 Ruby Ridge standoff, dies at 74
SPOKANE, WASH. — Randy Weaver, patriarch of a family that was involved in an 11-day Idaho standoff with federal agents 30 years ago that left three people dead and helped spark the growth of anti-government extremists, has died at age 74.
His death was announced Thursday in a Facebook post by daughter Sara Weaver, who lives near Kalispell, Montana.
“Love you always Dad” was written on Sara Weaver’s Facebook page, posted with a picture of an older Randy and a smiling Sara, along with the dates Jan. 3, 1948, and May 11, 2022.
Sara Weaver did not immediately return Facebook messages and email requests for information.
The standoff in the mountains near Ruby Ridge in the Idaho Panhandle transfixed the nation in August 1992.
Randy Weaver moved his family to northern Idaho in the 1980s to escape what he saw as a corrupt world. Over time, federal agents began investigating the Army veteran for possible ties to white supremacist and anti-government groups. Weaver was eventually suspected of selling a government informant two illegal sawed-off shotguns.
To avoid arrest, Weaver holed up on his land near Naples, Idaho.
On Aug. 21, 1992, a team of U.S. marshals scouting the forest to find suitable places to ambush and arrest Weaver came across his friend, Kevin Harris, and Weaver’s 14-yearold son Samuel in the woods. A gunfight broke out. Samuel Weaver and Deputy U.S. Marshal William Degan were killed.
The next day, an FBI sniper shot Randy Weaver. As Weaver, Harris and Sara ran back toward the house, the sniper fired a second bullet, which passed through Vicki Weaver’s head and wounded Harris.
The family surrendered Aug. 31, 1992. Harris and Randy Weaver were arrested Weaver was acquitted of the most serious charges and Harris was acquitted of all charges.
In the 30 years since the standoff, Ruby Ridge remained a rallying cry for anti-government extremists.