Shattered Peace: The Oklahoma City Bombing
The Oklahoma City bombing occurred on April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. It was a domestic terrorist attack that remains one of the deadliest incidents of its kind in U.S. history.
Timothy McVeigh, an American extremist, detonated a truck bomb outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which housed several federal agencies. The explosion caused significant damage to the building and surrounding structures, resulting in the deaths of 168 people, including 19 children, and injuring more than 500 others.
The motives behind the attack were rooted in anti-government sentiments and discontent with perceived government overreach. McVeigh was influenced by far-right ideologies and extremist groups. He was also motivated by the events that took place at the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, two years earlier, where a siege by federal agents resulted in the deaths of several people.
After the bombing, McVeigh was captured and charged with 11 federal offenses, including conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. In June 2001, McVeigh was executed by lethal injection.
The Oklahoma City bombing was a significant event that had a profound impact on the United States. It led to increased scrutiny of domestic extremism and prompted improvements in security measures to prevent future attacks. The bombing also highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness and response in the face of such tragedies.
Please note that there are intentionally no images of those responsible on this site.
before the bombing
Mid Kansas Co-Op
McVeigh made multiple large purchases of Ammonium Nitrate between Jan, 1994 and April, 1995
April 14th, 1995
McVeigh Purchased Mercury
McVeigh went into Tom Manning's Firestone to have work done on his Pontiac. It was determined that the heads were blown, and Manning sold McVeigh the Mercury for $250.
April 16th, 1995
Former Exxon next to former Dairy Queen
Former Exxon next to former Dairy Queen
Former Exxon next to former Dairy Queen
McVeigh and Nichols met at this Exxon station next to the Dairy Queen in Herington and headed to Oklahoma City
A Quick Chat
Former Exxon next to former Dairy Queen
Former Exxon next to former Dairy Queen
McVeigh pulled over at this historical marker about one mile south of Herington on Hwy 77. He and Nichols talked for about 5 minutes
Total Gas Station
Former Exxon next to former Dairy Queen
Total Gas Station
They stopped and got gas at the Total station on the corner of State Hwy 166 and I-35 at the Kansas/Oklahoma line.
April 17th, 1995
McDonalds, Junction City, KS
Dreamland Motel (Former Location)
Dreamland Motel (Former Location)
Around 2 a.m., Nichols drops McVeigh at a McDonald's in Junction City
Dreamland Motel (Former Location)
Dreamland Motel (Former Location)
Dreamland Motel (Former Location)
At 4 a.m., Lea McGown went to her office to put together the work schedule for that day at the Dreamland Motel. She said she saw McVeigh sitting in the cab of the Ryder in the parking lot. Around 10 a.m
Elliotts Body Shop
Terry Nichols House
Terry Nichols House
4 p.m. McVeigh picks up the 2nd Ryder Truck from Elliott's Body Shop in Junction City Kansas that will hold the bomb. He rents the truck under the name Robert Kling.
Terry Nichols House
Terry Nichols House
Terry Nichols House
Evening - First Ryder truck was seen parked behind Nichols' house in Herington on Monday night
April 18th, 1995
Sav-a-Trip
Santa Fe Diner
Santa Fe Diner
Between 1:30 and 2 a.m. a clerk at the Sav-a-Trip convenience store in Kingman, Kansas (approximately 25 miles west of Wichita) saw a Ryder truck pull into the parking lot and park beside one of the gas pumps. Two men, McVeigh and another man, got out of the truck. The second man pumped gas into the vehicle and McVeigh entered the store where he paid for the gasoline.
Santa Fe Diner
Santa Fe Diner
Santa Fe Diner
Around 7:30 - 8:00 a.m., McVeigh, Nichols, and a third man ate at the Santa Fe Diner in Herrington, KS.
Geary Lake
Santa Fe Diner
Perry's Cattle Barrons Steakhouse
Later that morning the men arrived separately at Geary Lake and began to mix the components for the bomb.
Perry's Cattle Barrons Steakhouse
Perry's Cattle Barrons Steakhouse
Perry's Cattle Barrons Steakhouse
McVeigh and a companion stopped here and had a beer. The owners arrived at the restaurant between 7 - 7:30 p.m. when they noticed a yellow Ryder truck in the parking lot.
44th Street McDonald's
Perry's Cattle Barrons Steakhouse
44th Street McDonald's
McVeigh exited I-35 at the Blackwell exit near Ponca City. He ate dinner at this McDonald's and spent the night across the road at a truck area
April 19th, 1995- Day of the attack
Johnnys Tire Shop
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
Regency Apartments
McVeigh stopped here at approximately 8:35 a.m to ask for directions to the Murrah Building.
Regency Apartments
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
Regency Apartments
8:57 a.m. a security camera inside of the Regency apartments caught this image of the Ryder truck just minutes before the explosion
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
9 a.m., McVeigh parked the Ryder truck loaded with explosives at this location.
McVeigh Pulled Over
McVeigh Pulled Over (2023)
Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building
McVeigh was pulled over just north of Perry, Oklahoma at around 10 a.m. He was arrested and taken to Perry, OK.
McVeigh Pulled Over (2023)
McVeigh Pulled Over (2023)
McVeigh Pulled Over (2023)
Spot Timothy McVeigh was arrested in 2023.
McVeigh Map
McVeigh Pulled Over (2023)
McVeigh Pulled Over (2023)
Hand drawn map by Timothy McVeigh showing his movements after parking the Ryder truck.
April 21st, 1995
Perry, OK. Courthouse
McVeigh departs the courthouse in Perry, OK. He is now officially in federal custody.
Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial
