Response to the Terrifying Nature of Active Shooter Ambushes Report # 4 Miami FBI Shootout 4/11/86

By Jim Weiss, Mickey Davis and Bob O’Brien

Since there isn’t a universal American criminal law definition of terrorism, for this article we use a working terrorism template expressed in two formats: 1) A terrorist is someone causing terror to meet his/her criminal ends. This could be a robber, rapist, an active shooter, a hostage taker, or someone who assaults another, acting alone or in a group. 2) Terrorists can also be ideological-based members of a militant, known group, acting out to cause civil disorder or acts of terrorism.

In the fall and winter of 1985, a series of bank and armored car robberies in which armored car personnel were wounded took place in Southwest Miami, Florida. On April 11, 1986, the suspects were spotted. When an arrest was attempted, a shootout took place. Two FBI agents were killed and five others wounded before the robbers were also killed. This four-minute firefight led to major changes in FBI tactics and weapons.

History of Miami Robberies from FBI Reports

October 16, 1985 - A Wells Fargo armored car was robbed at a Winn Dixie Supermarket. During this robbery, the armored car guard was shot with a shotgun; .45 caliber casings were also found at the scene. No money was obtained.November 8, 1985 - A Florida National Bank outside teller station on South Dixie Highway was robbed by two men as the guard and teller walked to the drive-through booth. When the teller couldn’t open the door, the men took the money bags they were carrying co...