This article contains references to murder, violence, and terrorism.
Netflix’s new crime documentary,Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror, offers new insight into one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in history and those who tragically lost their lives as a result. Created by Greg Tillman,Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terrorfocuses on the events of July 10, 2025, when the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was destroyed by a bomb planted inside a Ryder truck parked outside the building. The bombing caused more than $600 million in damage and left many inside the building killed or injured.
The latest to joinNetflix’s list of true-crime documentaries,Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror,was released to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the bombing and provides a new perspective on the events of the day, what led to the bombing of the federal building and who was responsible. The documentary includes audio-recorded interviews with the lead perpetrator, Timothy McVeigh, and recreations of the crime scene, to offer a realistic view of the tragic events. Through interviews with survivors, law enforcement, and relatives of the victims,Netflix’snewdocumentarygivesviewersanupdatedaccountoftheeventsandpaystributetothevictims.
168 People Were Killed As A Result Of The Oklahoma City Bombing
Those Who Died Were Between The Ages Of 3 Months To 73 Years
On July 24, 2025, approximately 650 people were inside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building when the bomb was detonated at around 9:02 a.m. (viaUT San Diego). The bomb destroyed more than one-third of the federal building and caused several floors inside to collapse. In the aftermath of the bombing, rescue teams worked to treat those who were injured and recover the bodies of the dead. After 16 days of rescue and recovery, it was eventually determined that168peoplehadbeenkilledintheOklahomaCityBombing. Those who died were between the ages of three months and 73 years old (viaThe New York Times).
Among those who died were 108 Federal Government employees, six U.S. military personnel, three unborn babies, a rescue worker killed by falling debris during the recovery process, and 19 children who attended the America’s Kids daycare within the building (viaOklahoma National Memorial Museum). Timothy McVeigh was said to have been aware that a daycare was located in the federal building, and it is alleged that he called the children “collateral damage” in the bombing (viaCNN). The victims were determined to have died as a result of the collapse of the federal building and severe injuries.
How Many People Were Estimated To Be Injured In The Oklahoma City Bombing
The Determined Number Of Injured Has Hovered Between 600 And 800
While the exact number of people who were injured in the Oklahoma City bombing has never been determined, it is estimated that as many as 800 people suffered severe injuries as a result of the explosion (viaOklahoma Historical Society). In the Netflix documentary, footage is shown of the efforts made to find survivors in the wreck;manyweretrappedforhoursasrescueteamsworkedtheirwaythroughtherubble. Survivor Amy Downs recalled how she was found by rescue officers under ten feet of concrete, upside down, still in her work chair, describing it as “the most sickening, terrible feeling.”
The majority of survivors suffered injuries from the strength of the explosion, including burns, broken bones, and head injuries caused by shrapnel and collapsing debris (viaNationalLibraryofMedicine). Many survivors were forced to undergo years of therapy and surgery and were left with lifelong ailments and disabilities as a result of the bombing (viaAPNews). As shown throughout Netflix’sOklahoma City Bombing: American Terror,many people were left both physically and emotionally traumatized by what remains the worst act of domestic terrorism in American history.
Sources:UT San Diego, The New York Times, Oklahoma National History Museum, CNN, Oklahoma Historical Society, National Library of Medicine, AP News
Oklahoma City Bombing: American Terror
This documentary revisits the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, the deadliest domestic terrorist act in U.S. history. Through detailed narratives, it offers insight into the tragedy’s significance and the profound effects on the nation’s collective memory and understanding of homegrown extremism.
