Michael Lee Platt
FBI Shootout Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Pinecrest, Florida
TIME PERIOD
April 11, 1986
VICTIMS
4 confirmed
On April 11, 1986, a violent shootout occurred between FBI agents and two armed suspects, Michael Lee Platt and William Russell Matix, in Pinecrest, Miami-Dade County, Florida, around 9:35 a.m. The suspects, both former U.S. Army servicemen, were engaged in a series of violent crimes, including bank robberies. During the confrontation, Platt and Matix, armed with high-powered weapons, outgunned the agents, resulting in the deaths of two FBI agents, Benjamin Grogan and Jerry Dove, and injuries to five others. The shootout concluded with the deaths of both suspects as they attempted to flee the scene. This incident is noted for its significant impact on FBI training protocols and the subsequent shift to more effective firearms in law enforcement.
The shootout is often theorized to have been exacerbated by the FBI's underestimation of the suspects' firepower and tactical capabilities. Some believe that the agents were not adequately prepared for a confrontation with heavily armed criminals, leading to tragic consequences. There is also speculation that the incident prompted significant changes in FBI training and protocols regarding armed confrontations in the future.
The 1986 Miami FBI Shootout: A Deadly Confrontation
On a seemingly ordinary morning in Miami-Dade County, Florida, an intense and deadly gun battle unfolded on the streets. The date was April 11, 1986, and the quiet neighborhood of Pinecrest was about to become the scene of one of the most infamous firefights in FBI history. The confrontation involved two hardened criminals, Michael Lee Platt and William Russell Matix, and a team of vigilant FBI agents. Both Platt and Matix were former servicemen, suspected of a string of violent bank robberies in the Miami area. What started as an attempt to apprehend these men soon escalated into a fierce shootout, leaving a mark on law enforcement tactics forever.
Background of the Perpetrators
Michael Lee Platt and William Russell Matix's paths crossed during their time in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Platt, born on February 3, 1954, enlisted on June 27, 1972, aspiring to become an Army Airborne Ranger. After completing his training, he joined the Military Police Unit, where he met Matix and his future wife, Regina Lylen, whom he married in 1975. By 1979, Platt was honorably discharged and had settled in Florida with Regina, starting a landscaping business called Blade Cutters with his brother, Tim.
William Russell Matix, born June 25, 1951, embarked on his military career with the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a cook in Hawaii and Okinawa. He later joined the Army, where he was stationed at Fort Campbell with Platt. After being honorably discharged in 1976, Matix's life took a dark turn when his wife, Patricia, was brutally murdered in 1983 alongside a colleague. Though Matix was a suspect, he was never charged, and he later moved to Florida, encouraged by Platt, to start a new landscaping business.
Both men eventually remarried, with Platt's first wife dying under mysterious circumstances and Matix experiencing turmoil in his brief second marriage. Despite their troubled pasts and the violent deaths surrounding them, neither Platt nor Matix had a criminal record before they embarked on a crime spree that would terrorize Miami.
A String of Violent Crimes
The crime spree began on October 4, 1985, with the murder of Emilio Briel in the Florida Everglades. Platt and Matix killed him while he was target shooting, stealing his Chevrolet Monte Carlo to commit further robberies. This vehicle became central to their subsequent crimes.
Over the following months, Platt and Matix attempted multiple armored van robberies, often targeting couriers outside banks and restaurants. Their methods were ruthless, involving gunfire and violence, which left security personnel injured but remarkably, none dead. Their audacity escalated on January 10, 1986, when they shot a Brinks courier multiple times, escaping with $54,000. This act underscored their increasing boldness and the threat they posed.
Their spree continued until March 1986, when they robbed another bank and shot Jose Collazo, a target shooter, in an eerily similar manner to Briel's murder. The FBI, now calling them the "Unknown Gang," observed a pattern in their Friday robberies, predicting another strike on April 11, 1986.
The Stakeout and Violent Confrontation
Led by Special Agent Gordon McNeill, a team of FBI agents assembled on the morning of April 11, 1986, armed with a hunch and ready for confrontation. Among those present were Special Agents Benjamin Grogan and Jerry Dove, who, along with their colleagues, were determined to stop Platt and Matix.
At around 9:30 a.m., Grogan and Dove spotted the stolen Monte Carlo and began to follow it. The chase led them to Southwest 82nd Avenue, where an attempt to force the suspects off the road resulted in a catastrophic collision. The Monte Carlo, driven by Matix, was rammed into a tree, and the chaotic scene set the stage for a deadly gunfight.
Platt, wielding a Ruger Mini-14 semi-automatic rifle, opened fire on the FBI agents. Despite sustaining multiple wounds, Platt continued to unleash a barrage of gunfire. Special Agents Grogan and Dove were killed in the exchange, while five other agents sustained injuries. The shootout culminated in the deaths of both Platt and Matix, ending their reign of terror.
Aftermath and Legacy
The 1986 Miami shootout was a pivotal moment in FBI history, showcasing the inadequacy of the agents' firearms compared to those of the criminals. This tragic event spurred changes in law enforcement weaponry, prompting a shift from revolvers to more effective semi-automatic pistols. The incident is extensively studied in law enforcement training, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who protect and serve.
Sources
For more detailed information, please refer to the Wikipedia article on Michael Lee Platt.
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First Murder Committed
Platt and Matix murder Emilio Briel while he target shoots.
Brinks Courier Shot
Platt and Matix shoot a Brinks courier and steal $54,000.
Second Murder Committed
Platt and Matix shoot Jose Collazo, who survives.
FBI Miami Shootout
A deadly shootout occurs between FBI agents and Platt & Matix, resulting in the deaths of two agents.
Agents Killed
FBI agents Benjamin Grogan and Jerry Dove are killed during the shootout.
Suspects Killed
Both suspects, Platt and Matix, are killed by FBI agent Edmundo Mireles.
Investigation Launched
FBI begins investigation into the shootout and the suspects' crime spree.
Lawsuit Filed
Families of the slain agents sue the estates of Platt and Matix under RICO.
Memorial Established
Pinecrest honors agents Grogan and Dove with street names in their memory.
On April 11, 1986, a violent shootout occurred between FBI agents and two armed suspects, Michael Lee Platt and William Russell Matix, in Pinecrest, Miami-Dade County, Florida, around 9:35 a.m. The suspects, both former U.S. Army servicemen, were engaged in a series of violent crimes, including bank robberies. During the confrontation, Platt and Matix, armed with high-powered weapons, outgunned the agents, resulting in the deaths of two FBI agents, Benjamin Grogan and Jerry Dove, and injuries to five others. The shootout concluded with the deaths of both suspects as they attempted to flee the scene. This incident is noted for its significant impact on FBI training protocols and the subsequent shift to more effective firearms in law enforcement.
The shootout is often theorized to have been exacerbated by the FBI's underestimation of the suspects' firepower and tactical capabilities. Some believe that the agents were not adequately prepared for a confrontation with heavily armed criminals, leading to tragic consequences. There is also speculation that the incident prompted significant changes in FBI training and protocols regarding armed confrontations in the future.
The 1986 Miami FBI Shootout: A Deadly Confrontation
On a seemingly ordinary morning in Miami-Dade County, Florida, an intense and deadly gun battle unfolded on the streets. The date was April 11, 1986, and the quiet neighborhood of Pinecrest was about to become the scene of one of the most infamous firefights in FBI history. The confrontation involved two hardened criminals, Michael Lee Platt and William Russell Matix, and a team of vigilant FBI agents. Both Platt and Matix were former servicemen, suspected of a string of violent bank robberies in the Miami area. What started as an attempt to apprehend these men soon escalated into a fierce shootout, leaving a mark on law enforcement tactics forever.
Background of the Perpetrators
Michael Lee Platt and William Russell Matix's paths crossed during their time in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Platt, born on February 3, 1954, enlisted on June 27, 1972, aspiring to become an Army Airborne Ranger. After completing his training, he joined the Military Police Unit, where he met Matix and his future wife, Regina Lylen, whom he married in 1975. By 1979, Platt was honorably discharged and had settled in Florida with Regina, starting a landscaping business called Blade Cutters with his brother, Tim.
William Russell Matix, born June 25, 1951, embarked on his military career with the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as a cook in Hawaii and Okinawa. He later joined the Army, where he was stationed at Fort Campbell with Platt. After being honorably discharged in 1976, Matix's life took a dark turn when his wife, Patricia, was brutally murdered in 1983 alongside a colleague. Though Matix was a suspect, he was never charged, and he later moved to Florida, encouraged by Platt, to start a new landscaping business.
Both men eventually remarried, with Platt's first wife dying under mysterious circumstances and Matix experiencing turmoil in his brief second marriage. Despite their troubled pasts and the violent deaths surrounding them, neither Platt nor Matix had a criminal record before they embarked on a crime spree that would terrorize Miami.
A String of Violent Crimes
The crime spree began on October 4, 1985, with the murder of Emilio Briel in the Florida Everglades. Platt and Matix killed him while he was target shooting, stealing his Chevrolet Monte Carlo to commit further robberies. This vehicle became central to their subsequent crimes.
Over the following months, Platt and Matix attempted multiple armored van robberies, often targeting couriers outside banks and restaurants. Their methods were ruthless, involving gunfire and violence, which left security personnel injured but remarkably, none dead. Their audacity escalated on January 10, 1986, when they shot a Brinks courier multiple times, escaping with $54,000. This act underscored their increasing boldness and the threat they posed.
Their spree continued until March 1986, when they robbed another bank and shot Jose Collazo, a target shooter, in an eerily similar manner to Briel's murder. The FBI, now calling them the "Unknown Gang," observed a pattern in their Friday robberies, predicting another strike on April 11, 1986.
The Stakeout and Violent Confrontation
Led by Special Agent Gordon McNeill, a team of FBI agents assembled on the morning of April 11, 1986, armed with a hunch and ready for confrontation. Among those present were Special Agents Benjamin Grogan and Jerry Dove, who, along with their colleagues, were determined to stop Platt and Matix.
At around 9:30 a.m., Grogan and Dove spotted the stolen Monte Carlo and began to follow it. The chase led them to Southwest 82nd Avenue, where an attempt to force the suspects off the road resulted in a catastrophic collision. The Monte Carlo, driven by Matix, was rammed into a tree, and the chaotic scene set the stage for a deadly gunfight.
Platt, wielding a Ruger Mini-14 semi-automatic rifle, opened fire on the FBI agents. Despite sustaining multiple wounds, Platt continued to unleash a barrage of gunfire. Special Agents Grogan and Dove were killed in the exchange, while five other agents sustained injuries. The shootout culminated in the deaths of both Platt and Matix, ending their reign of terror.
Aftermath and Legacy
The 1986 Miami shootout was a pivotal moment in FBI history, showcasing the inadequacy of the agents' firearms compared to those of the criminals. This tragic event spurred changes in law enforcement weaponry, prompting a shift from revolvers to more effective semi-automatic pistols. The incident is extensively studied in law enforcement training, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who protect and serve.
Sources
For more detailed information, please refer to the Wikipedia article on Michael Lee Platt.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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First Murder Committed
Platt and Matix murder Emilio Briel while he target shoots.
Brinks Courier Shot
Platt and Matix shoot a Brinks courier and steal $54,000.
Second Murder Committed
Platt and Matix shoot Jose Collazo, who survives.
FBI Miami Shootout
A deadly shootout occurs between FBI agents and Platt & Matix, resulting in the deaths of two agents.
Agents Killed
FBI agents Benjamin Grogan and Jerry Dove are killed during the shootout.
Suspects Killed
Both suspects, Platt and Matix, are killed by FBI agent Edmundo Mireles.
Investigation Launched
FBI begins investigation into the shootout and the suspects' crime spree.
Lawsuit Filed
Families of the slain agents sue the estates of Platt and Matix under RICO.
Memorial Established
Pinecrest honors agents Grogan and Dove with street names in their memory.