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It’s Been Almost 27 Years Since The Battle of North Hollywood Shootout
One of the most violent days in the history of LAPD unfolded live in front of America in February 1997
On February 28, 1997, two men entered the Bank of America in North Hollywood, California wearing body armor and carrying assault rifles to rob the business.
After they finished the job, they walked calmly out the door and opened fire on the police who were waiting for them. The next 44 minutes would feel like an eternity to the members of the LAPD, the residents of North Hollywood, and the entire nation.
The Robbery
At 9:17 a.m. Larry Phillips Jr and Emil Matasareanu arrived at the bank. They had been planning this heist for months. They took muscle relaxers to calm their nerves, synchronized their watches, and entered the bank. They thought they had eight minutes before police would arrive to get what they wanted and make their escape.
The suspects ordered customers and employees to get on the floor and fired into the ceiling to scare everyone into compliance. Then they began shooting at the bulletproof door that allowed them access to the vault and the tellers. The high-powered rifles caused it to break within a few seconds.
