William Matix
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, at approximately 9:35 AM in Pinecrest, Miami-Dade County, Florida. The suspects, both former U.S. Army servicemen, were wanted for a series of violent crimes, including bank robberies. During the encounter, Platt and Matix, armed with high-powered firearms, engaged in a gun battle with 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 intensity and has significantly influenced law enforcement training and firearm policies within the FBI and across various police departments in the United States.
Many believe that the shootout was exacerbated by the FBI's underestimation of the suspects' firepower and tactical capabilities, leading to a disastrous outcome. Some speculate that the agents were inadequately trained for such high-stakes confrontations, contributing to the fatalities. Additionally, there are theories regarding the impact of the incident on FBI training protocols and tactics in future operations.
The 1986 FBI Miami Shootout
A Deadly Encounter
On the morning of April 11, 1986, the quiet streets of what is now Pinecrest, Miami-Dade County, Florida, became the stage for one of the most violent shootouts in FBI history. This lethal encounter between eight FBI agents and two armed men, Michael Lee Platt and William Russell Matix, ended with four deaths, including two FBI agents. The chaos unfolded in a mere five minutes, yet it left a profound impact on law enforcement strategies nationwide.
Background of Platt and Matix
Michael Lee Platt and William Russell Matix were far from ordinary criminals. Both met during their service in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Platt, born on February 3, 1954, joined the Army on June 27, 1972, and later trained as an Airborne Ranger. He served in the Military Police Unit, where he crossed paths with Matix. Platt was honorably discharged in 1979, and along with his wife Regina, moved to Florida to start a landscaping business, Blade Cutters.
Matix, born on June 25, 1951, initially served as a cook in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the Army, where he also served in the Military Police. Matix's personal life was marred by tragedy when his wife, Patricia Mary Matix, was found murdered in December 1983, alongside a co-worker in a lab at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Despite suspicions, Matix was not charged, and he collected a substantial life insurance payout following the incident. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Florida, encouraged by Platt, and worked briefly at Blade Cutters before co-founding Yankee Clipper Tree Trimming Service.
Both men seemed to lead normal lives, yet they shared a dark history. Platt's first wife died of a shotgun blast in what was ruled a suicide. He remarried quickly, moving with his new family close to the future site of the shootout. Matix, meanwhile, remarried but faced marital difficulties, eventually living apart from his second wife.
Crime Spree
Platt and Matix's descent into crime began without warning. Their string of robberies, primarily targeting armored vehicles and banks, started with the murder of Emilio Briel on October 4, 1985, whose car they used in subsequent crimes. Their spree included multiple armed robberies along South Dixie Highway and involved violent encounters with armored van couriers. On January 10, 1986, a Brinks courier was seriously wounded, but survived, leaving him with permanent injuries.
The FBI's Miami office, specifically the C-1 Division, dubbed the pair the "Unknown Gang," and noted their pattern of targeting banks on Fridays. Anticipating another robbery, the FBI planned a stakeout for April 11.
The Stakeout and Shootout
At dawn on April 11, 1986, a team of undercover FBI agents, led by Special Agent Gordon McNeill, assembled at a Home Depot for Operation Rolling Stakeout. Their mission was to locate Collazo's stolen Monte Carlo, suspected to be the getaway vehicle for Platt and Matix. Among the eight agents involved were seasoned veterans and newer recruits, all armed and ready for confrontation.
At 9:30 a.m., agents Grogan and Dove spotted the Monte Carlo and began their pursuit. The chase ended on Southwest 82nd Avenue when the FBI agents executed a forced stop, ramming the suspects' car off the road. However, this maneuver caught the agents off guard as they faced unexpected difficulties, including vehicle damage and loss of firearms due to the impact.
Platt and Matix, armed with a Ruger Mini-14 rifle and other firearms, opened fire, outmatching the agents' less powerful weapons. Despite sustaining injuries, Platt continued to return fire with deadly accuracy. The shootout claimed the lives of Special Agents Benjamin Grogan and Jerry Dove and wounded five others, including Edmundo Mireles, Jr., who heroically ended the confrontation by killing Platt and Matix.
Aftermath and Legacy
The Miami shootout was a turning point for the FBI and law enforcement nationwide. The agents' experiences led to significant changes in tactics and equipment, most notably the shift from revolvers to semi-automatic pistols. This incident is now a case study in police training programs, emphasizing preparedness and adaptability in the field.
Sources
This narrative includes all details from the original Wikipedia article on the 1986 FBI Miami shootout. For further reading, visit Wikipedia.
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First Murder Committed
Platt and Matix murder Emilio Briel while robbing him.
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 and Matix, resulting in four deaths.
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 Begins
FBI launches an investigation into the shootout and the suspects' criminal activities.
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, at approximately 9:35 AM in Pinecrest, Miami-Dade County, Florida. The suspects, both former U.S. Army servicemen, were wanted for a series of violent crimes, including bank robberies. During the encounter, Platt and Matix, armed with high-powered firearms, engaged in a gun battle with 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 intensity and has significantly influenced law enforcement training and firearm policies within the FBI and across various police departments in the United States.
Many believe that the shootout was exacerbated by the FBI's underestimation of the suspects' firepower and tactical capabilities, leading to a disastrous outcome. Some speculate that the agents were inadequately trained for such high-stakes confrontations, contributing to the fatalities. Additionally, there are theories regarding the impact of the incident on FBI training protocols and tactics in future operations.
The 1986 FBI Miami Shootout
A Deadly Encounter
On the morning of April 11, 1986, the quiet streets of what is now Pinecrest, Miami-Dade County, Florida, became the stage for one of the most violent shootouts in FBI history. This lethal encounter between eight FBI agents and two armed men, Michael Lee Platt and William Russell Matix, ended with four deaths, including two FBI agents. The chaos unfolded in a mere five minutes, yet it left a profound impact on law enforcement strategies nationwide.
Background of Platt and Matix
Michael Lee Platt and William Russell Matix were far from ordinary criminals. Both met during their service in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Platt, born on February 3, 1954, joined the Army on June 27, 1972, and later trained as an Airborne Ranger. He served in the Military Police Unit, where he crossed paths with Matix. Platt was honorably discharged in 1979, and along with his wife Regina, moved to Florida to start a landscaping business, Blade Cutters.
Matix, born on June 25, 1951, initially served as a cook in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the Army, where he also served in the Military Police. Matix's personal life was marred by tragedy when his wife, Patricia Mary Matix, was found murdered in December 1983, alongside a co-worker in a lab at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Despite suspicions, Matix was not charged, and he collected a substantial life insurance payout following the incident. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Florida, encouraged by Platt, and worked briefly at Blade Cutters before co-founding Yankee Clipper Tree Trimming Service.
Both men seemed to lead normal lives, yet they shared a dark history. Platt's first wife died of a shotgun blast in what was ruled a suicide. He remarried quickly, moving with his new family close to the future site of the shootout. Matix, meanwhile, remarried but faced marital difficulties, eventually living apart from his second wife.
Crime Spree
Platt and Matix's descent into crime began without warning. Their string of robberies, primarily targeting armored vehicles and banks, started with the murder of Emilio Briel on October 4, 1985, whose car they used in subsequent crimes. Their spree included multiple armed robberies along South Dixie Highway and involved violent encounters with armored van couriers. On January 10, 1986, a Brinks courier was seriously wounded, but survived, leaving him with permanent injuries.
The FBI's Miami office, specifically the C-1 Division, dubbed the pair the "Unknown Gang," and noted their pattern of targeting banks on Fridays. Anticipating another robbery, the FBI planned a stakeout for April 11.
The Stakeout and Shootout
At dawn on April 11, 1986, a team of undercover FBI agents, led by Special Agent Gordon McNeill, assembled at a Home Depot for Operation Rolling Stakeout. Their mission was to locate Collazo's stolen Monte Carlo, suspected to be the getaway vehicle for Platt and Matix. Among the eight agents involved were seasoned veterans and newer recruits, all armed and ready for confrontation.
At 9:30 a.m., agents Grogan and Dove spotted the Monte Carlo and began their pursuit. The chase ended on Southwest 82nd Avenue when the FBI agents executed a forced stop, ramming the suspects' car off the road. However, this maneuver caught the agents off guard as they faced unexpected difficulties, including vehicle damage and loss of firearms due to the impact.
Platt and Matix, armed with a Ruger Mini-14 rifle and other firearms, opened fire, outmatching the agents' less powerful weapons. Despite sustaining injuries, Platt continued to return fire with deadly accuracy. The shootout claimed the lives of Special Agents Benjamin Grogan and Jerry Dove and wounded five others, including Edmundo Mireles, Jr., who heroically ended the confrontation by killing Platt and Matix.
Aftermath and Legacy
The Miami shootout was a turning point for the FBI and law enforcement nationwide. The agents' experiences led to significant changes in tactics and equipment, most notably the shift from revolvers to semi-automatic pistols. This incident is now a case study in police training programs, emphasizing preparedness and adaptability in the field.
Sources
This narrative includes all details from the original Wikipedia article on the 1986 FBI Miami shootout. For further reading, visit Wikipedia.
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
Loading comments...
First Murder Committed
Platt and Matix murder Emilio Briel while robbing him.
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 and Matix, resulting in four deaths.
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 Begins
FBI launches an investigation into the shootout and the suspects' criminal activities.
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.