ON THIS DAY

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May 23, 1934

Bonnie and Clyde killed in shootout

Bonnie Elizabeth Parker (1910 – 1934) and Clyde Chestnut "Champion" Barrow (1909 – 1934) were American outlaws who traveled the Central United States with their gang during the Great Depression, committing a series of criminal acts such as bank robberies, kidnappings, and murders between 1932 and 1934. The couple were known for their bank robberies and multiple murders, although they preferred to rob small stores or rural gas stations. Their exploits captured the attention of the American press and its readership during what is occasionally referred to as the "public enemy era" between 1931 and 1934. They are believed to have murdered at least nine police officers and four civilians.

On May 23, 1934, 6 law enforcement officers who had correctly predicted the intended destination and route by Bonnie and Clyde, opened fire on the car in which they were travelling.

The officers fired about 130 rounds, emptying each of their weapons into the car.

According to statements made by Texas officers Hinton and Alcorn:

Each of us six officers had a shotgun and an automatic rifle and pistols. We opened fire with the automatic rifles. They were emptied before the car got even with us. Then we used shotguns. There was smoke coming from the car, and it looked like it was on fire. After shooting the shotguns, we emptied the pistols at the car, which had passed us and ran into a ditch about 50 yards on down the road. It almost turned over. We kept shooting at the car even after it stopped. We weren't taking any chances.

Film footage taken by one of the deputies immediately after the ambush shows 112 bullet holes in the vehicle, of which around one quarter struck the couple.

Car after the ambush with the bodies of Barrow and Parker in the front seats

The gunfire was so loud that the posse were temporarily deaf all afternoon.

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