The Ruby Ridge incident occurred in August 1992 in Idaho, involving a standoff between the federal government and the family of Randy Weaver. The conflict began when Weaver was charged with selling illegal firearms. After failing to appear in court, federal agents attempted to arrest him, leading to a violent confrontation. The standoff lasted 11 days and resulted in the deaths of Weaver's wife, Vicki, and their son, Samuel, as well as a U.S. Marshal. The incident raised significant questions about government authority and the use of force, ultimately leading to investigations and changes in federal law enforcement practices.