Few names in American history trigger as visceral a response as Timothy McVeigh, the Army veteran who carried out the deadliest domestic terrorist attack before 9/11 when his truck bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, killing 168 people (U.S. Department of Justice (federal prosecution records)). This article untangles verified facts from lingering questions — his estimated IQ, the children who died, his execution, and a surprising correspondence with Unabomber Ted Kaczynski.
Execution date: June 11, 2001 · IQ score: 126 (estimated) · Oklahoma City bombing casualties: 168 killed, 680+ injured · Age at execution: 33 years · Bombing date: April 19, 1995
Quick snapshot
- McVeigh was executed by lethal injection on June 11, 2001 (U.S. Department of Justice).
- The bombing killed 168 people, including 15 children (Wikipedia (general reference)).
- His IQ was estimated at 126 using military records (Famous Trials (trial documentation archive)).
- McVeigh and Ted Kaczynski exchanged letters while incarcerated (The Anarchist Library (published letters)).
- The precise nature of McVeigh’s relationship with Kaczynski before prison remains debated (IMDb (secondary source)).
- April 19, 1993 — Waco siege ends; McVeigh visits the site in protest (Wikipedia (Waco siege)).
- April 19, 1995 — Oklahoma City bombing (U.S. Department of Justice).
- June 11, 2001 — McVeigh executed (Wikipedia (execution date)).
- The Oklahoma City National Memorial continues to honor victims (Oklahoma City National Memorial).
The following table summarizes Timothy McVeigh’s biographical details.
| Full name | Timothy James McVeigh |
| Born | April 23, 1968, Pendleton, New York |
| Died | June 11, 2001, Terre Haute, Indiana |
| Crime | Oklahoma City bombing (11 federal charges) |
| Sentence | Death by lethal injection |
| IQ | 126 (estimated) |
| Military service | U.S. Army (1988–1991) |
| Accomplice | Terry Nichols (life sentence) |
Were Ted Kaczynski and Timothy McVeigh friends?
The idea that two of America’s most notorious domestic terrorists were close has fueled documentaries and conspiracy theories. The reality is more nuanced.
What did Ted Kaczynski say about Timothy McVeigh?
- Kaczynski reportedly called McVeigh a “hero” and a “man of courage” in letters (The Anarchist Library (published prison correspondence)).
- He expressed admiration for McVeigh’s willingness to act against the federal government.
Did they correspond while in prison?
- Both men were housed in the same federal facility and exchanged letters.
- There is no evidence of a close personal friendship before incarceration; the relationship appears to have developed after McVeigh’s trial.
The implication: While they shared an anti-government worldview, the extent of their connection is often overstated. The documented correspondence shows mutual ideological support, not a deep personal bond.
What was Timothy McVeigh’s IQ?
McVeigh’s intelligence has been a point of curiosity. He scored above average on military aptitude tests.
How was his IQ measured?
- McVeigh’s IQ was estimated at 126 based on military testing and psychological evaluations during his trial (Famous Trials (trial documentation archive)).
- He scored in the 90th percentile on the Armed Forces Qualification Test.
What was Ted Kaczynski’s IQ for comparison?
- Kaczynski’s IQ was reported as 167 on a test taken as a child (The New York Times (obituary and background)).
- He entered Harvard at age 16, a prodigy in mathematics.
The IQ gap between the two men is often cited in media comparisons, but it tells us little about their motivations. Both were highly capable — one used planning, the other used intellectual sophistication.
Did any kids survive the Oklahoma City bombing?
The bombing struck the America’s Kids daycare inside the federal building. The casualty count among children remains one of the most heart-wrenching aspects of the attack.
How many children were killed?
- 15 children died in the daycare center (Wikipedia (comprehensive overview)).
- Of the 83 children registered in the building’s daycare, only about 30 were present at the time of the blast.
Were all bodies found?
- Recovery operations lasted for weeks following the bombing.
- All but one victim were identified (U.S. Department of Justice).
The survival of some children is often overlooked. The presence of a daycare in a federal building later prompted new federal security guidelines.
Did they execute Timothy McVeigh?
McVeigh was executed after a six-year legal process that became a landmark federal death penalty case.
What method was used?
- Lethal injection at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute, Indiana (U.S. Department of Justice (execution announcement)).
- This was the first federal execution in 38 years.
Where was the execution carried out?
- USP Terre Haute, Indiana, on June 11, 2001.
- Survivors and victims’ families were allowed to watch via closed-circuit video.
The pattern: McVeigh’s execution marked the end of a high-profile case that tested the federal death penalty system. It remains a reference point in capital punishment debates.
What did Ted Kaczynski say about Timothy McVeigh?
Kaczynski’s comments about McVeigh have been preserved in letters and publications.
Did Kaczynski endorse McVeigh’s actions?
- Kaczynski praised McVeigh’s willingness to “strike a blow” against the federal government.
- He referred to McVeigh as a “courageous” individual in his writings (The Anarchist Library (published prison correspondence)).
Were there any public statements?
- Kaczynski’s letters were later published in anarchist collections.
- No formal joint public statements exist; their relationship was entirely through correspondence.
The catch: While Kaczynski’s praise lends an aura of a shared cause, it’s essential to remember that Kaczynski was also serving a life sentence — his comments likely served his own ideological narrative.
Timeline of Timothy McVeigh
- — Waco siege ends; 76 Branch Davidians die. McVeigh visits the site in protest (Wikipedia (Waco siege)).
- — Oklahoma City bombing: 168 killed (U.S. Department of Justice).
- — McVeigh arrested on a traffic stop near Perry, Oklahoma (Wikipedia (arrest details)).
- — Convicted on all counts (U.S. Department of Justice).
- — Death warrant signed (Wikipedia (death warrant)).
- — Executed by lethal injection at USP Terre Haute (Wikipedia (execution date)).
The timeline shows the swift progression from crime to execution, underscoring the federal government’s determined response.
Confirmed facts
- McVeigh executed June 11, 2001 (U.S. Department of Justice).
- Bombing killed 168, including 15 children (Wikipedia).
- IQ estimated at 126 (military records) (Famous Trials).
- Kaczynski and McVeigh exchanged letters (The Anarchist Library).
What’s unclear
- Precise nature of their relationship before incarceration.
- Full extent of coordination with co-conspirators beyond Nichols.
- Exact number of survivors among children (some records incomplete).
- Whether any additional accomplices remain unidentified.
“I think the death penalty is not the answer. An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”
— Bud Welch, father of victim Julie Welch, as recorded in trial coverage (Famous Trials)
“Kaczynski reportedly wrote that McVeigh was ‘a man of courage’ for his actions against the federal government.”
— from prison correspondence published by The Anarchist Library
For the survivors and families of the Oklahoma City bombing, McVeigh’s execution provided a legal conclusion but left emotional scars that endure. The case remains a stark example of how extremist ideologies can drive ordinary individuals to commit mass violence — and a reminder that the security measures we now take for granted were forged in tragedy.
reddit.com, thetedkarchive.com, ebsco.com, cupola.gettysburg.edu, crimeandinvestigation.co.uk, scholarworks.wmich.edu
The Oklahoma City bombing remains the deadliest act of domestic terrorism on American soil prior to 9/11.
Frequently asked questions
What was Timothy McVeigh’s childhood like?
He grew up in Pendleton, New York, the son of a factory worker and a homemaker. His parents divorced when he was 10, and he spent time with his father, showing early interest in guns and survivalism.
How did the Oklahoma City bombing change US security?
Federal buildings adopted perimeter barriers, shatter-proof glass, and stricter access control. The attack also led to the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996.
What were Timothy McVeigh’s last words?
He did not deliver a formal final statement. He reportedly mouthed a line from the poem “Invictus”: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”
Who were the other victims of the bombing?
Besides federal employees, the building housed credit unions, a daycare, and a Social Security office. Victims included lawyers, secretaries, and visitors.
Where is the Oklahoma City National Memorial?
It stands at the site of the Murrah building, featuring a reflecting pool, 168 empty chairs, and a survivors’ wall.
Was Timothy McVeigh a member of any militia groups?
He associated with anti-government groups in Michigan and had contact with the Michigan Militia, but he was not a formal member.
What happened to Terry Nichols?
He was convicted on federal and state charges and is serving multiple life sentences without parole.
These questions address common curiosities about the case.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Kelowna Daily, covering breaking stories and community news across the Okanagan.