"15-A-43, Requesting assistance. We have a possible 211 in progress at the Bank of America on Laurel Canyon north of Kittridge. We have shots fired." The Worst Shootout in Hollywood history. About 20 years ago today, two men armed with AK-47's with armor piercing rounds and semi-automatic pistols and heavy body armor stormed into a Bank of America in North Hollywood intending to rob the bank. Los Angeles Police Department North Hollywood Division responds to the call armed with shotguns and Beretta 92F's. On arrival, LAPD have the bank surrounded, the gunmen come out loaded with money and a 44 minute long shootout begins. Officers were returning fire and taking any cover they could from the high velocity armor piercing rounds, which ripped through their cars like paper. Their 9mm bullets and shotguns rounds did nothing but bounce off their armor. It wasn't until LAPD had rented guns from a local gun store and LAPD SWAT got on scene that the robbers were finally subdued. The only casualties were the two suspects, Larry Phillips, Jr. and Emil Mătăsăreanu, were killed by LAPD SWAT armed with .223 rounds and AR-15 style rifles.
