1986 FBI Miami shootout

1986 FBI Miami shootout
Jerry Dove (left) and Ben Grogan, the FBI special agents killed during the shootout
Location	Pinecrest, Florida, U.S.
Date	April 11, 1986 09:30 (UTC-5)
Target	FBI agents
Attack type	Resisting arrest
Weapons	Ruger Mini-14, S&W M586 revolver, Dan Wesson .357 Magnum revolver
Deaths	4 (including the perpetrators)
Perpetrators	William Russell Matix and Michael Lee Platt

The 1986 FBI Miami shootout was a gun battle that occurred on April 11, 1986, in an unincorporated region of Dade County in South Florida (renamed Miami-Dade in 1997) between eight FBI agents and two serial bank robbers. During the firefight, FBI Special Agents Jerry L. Dove and Benjamin P. Grogan were killed, while five other agents were wounded. The two robbery suspects, William Russell Matix and Michael Lee Platt, were also killed.

The incident is infamous in FBI history and is well-studied in law enforcement circles. Despite outnumbering the suspects 4 to 1, the agents found themselves pinned down by suppressive rifle fire and unable to respond effectively. Although both Matix and Platt were hit multiple times during the shootout, Platt fought on and continued to wound and kill agents. This incident led to the introduction of more powerful handguns in the FBI and many police departments around the United States.

Michael Lee Platt (February 3, 1954 – April 11, 1986) and William Russell Matix (June 25, 1951 – April 11, 1986) met while serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Matix first served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1969 to 1972, working as a cook in the officers' mess, and was later honorably discharged after reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1973, Matix re-enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the military police. Matix was honorably discharged from the Army in 1976. Platt enlisted in 1972 as an infantryman and served with the U.S. Army Rangers during the Vietnam War, where he was noted for "High Combat Proficiency". Platt was honorably discharged in 1979.