A Brief History
On May 23, 1934, waiting policemen ambushed notorious robbers and murderers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, filling them and their stolen car full of holes. Bonnie was not quite 24 years old and Clyde was only 25, but at the time they were the most famous outlaws in the United States.
Digging Deeper
Blazing a trail of crime from 1932 to 1934, the couple and their gang had robbed about 12 banks, many stores and gas stations and had killed 9 police officers and a handful of civilians in the process. Both of these career criminals were born in Texas, and they died together (of course) in Louisiana.
Bonnie had been married at 15 years old but soon left her husband for good, although they never divorced. Clyde was already a car thief and all-round criminal when they met and had already killed a man while in jail. (The man had been sexually assaulting him.)
During their crime spree, Clyde’s use of a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), a .30 caliber one-man machine gun turned the tide of battle in a couple of shootouts with police, and the gun became his trademark. Bonnie had been arrested for robbery at one point but was released weeks later for lack of indictment. On another occasion, the police (who do learn from mistakes) were armed with a BAR and machine guns when they attempted to ambush the pair in November of 1933. Although Bonnie and Clyde escaped, both were wounded in the legs as they drove away.
Clyde planned and executed a prison breakout for some of his gang members and other prisoners in Texas in January of 1934, and this insult to Texas law enforcement seemed to precipitate a renewed eagerness to catch or kill the criminal pair. Killing more highway patrolmen contributed to the enthusiasm for the blood of Bonnie and Clyde, and public opinion swung decidedly against them as newspapers published false and embellished accounts of Bonnie’s supposed bloodthirstiness.
Fate caught up to the murderous duo on a country road in Louisiana on May 23, 1934 as 6 officers (4 from Texas, 2 from Louisiana) set up an ambush and blasted the pair when they rolled up in a stolen car. About 130 rounds were fired by the cops, with at least 25 hitting Bonnie and Clyde apiece. Of course, they died right there and without any medical attention.
In the aftermath of the massacre, the police present grabbed souvenirs for themselves, including the large cache of guns in the car, Clyde’s saxophone and the car itself. The car’s owner did successfully reclaim her property, but Clyde’s father was unsuccessful in getting the guns turned over to him. His logic was that Clyde had not been convicted of a crime, and therefore the guns should not be seized!
Bonnie and Clyde are remembered in movies, made-for-television films, books and in a number of songs.
On May 23rd each year there is a Bonnie and Clyde Festival held at the scene of the fatal ambush. See you there!
Question for students (and subscribers): Do you consider Bonnie and Clyde to have been sort of folk heroes or villainous criminals? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
If you liked this article and would like to receive notification of new articles, please feel welcome to subscribe to History and Headlines by liking us on Facebook and becoming one of our patrons!
Your readership is much appreciated!
Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Gills, Michael. The Death of Bonnie and Clyde and Other Stories. Texas Review Press, 2011.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2342 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=2342">97 Comments
I hear a lot of references to this couple, so it was interesting to learn more of their story.
These types of stories are strongly unfortunate. When someone makes such a massive crimes like these onces or similar. He/she should expect these types assassinations, that is so sad story and I won’t hear horror stories like these once.
While well aware of the story of Bonnie and Clyde, it had escaped my attention that they were only in their twenties when they were killed.
I’ve heard of Bonnie and Clyde but never knew much about them. I think it’s crazy that Bonnie was married at 15 and committed so many crimes with Clyde by the time they were twenty.
As much as Bonnie and Clyde terrorized towns, it’s strange that there is a festival held on the anniversary of their deaths.
When a criminal kills one cop, they have the rest of them on their tail and they are all too happy to make a reckoning. It is slightly ridiculous that they fired 130 rounds though that just makes them look malicious.
I’ve heard a lot of stories about Bonnie and Clyde, but I was never aware of how they died.
It is interesting to learn more about this couple since they are famous for their crimes; I did not realize how many people died because of them nor how they died.
I love learning and reading stories about Bonnie and Clyde. Their story amazes me.
So, only around 50 of the 130 shots actually got Bonnie and Clyde.Did they really have to shot that many bullets?
I watched a movie about Bonnie and Clyde not to long ago and always find their story to be captivating.
I saw a documentary about them not too long ago. When I saw the amount of bullet holes in their car I was astonished.
This was a good read, and I can’t believe how many bullets they shot it seems a little unnecessary to me.
I have heard a lot about Bonnie and Clyde but I never knew they died in their twenties. I don’t think it was necessary that they shot that many times.
I never realized Bonnie and Clyde were so young. I didn’t really know they were robbers and murderers either. It’s hard to believe the police shot 130 rounds at them.
They got what they deserved. Live a life of crime and pay the price.
Bonnie and Clyde fascinate me
what a lovely couple they were made for each other.
This is a very known story. I think they were good for each other and the story ended as it should.
The notorious couple has become more famous than they ever should have. The story is very interesting though.
I know the couple had definitely made a name for themselves when it came to crime, but it seemed a little much that 130 rounds were shot at them, with 25 hitting Bonnie and Clyde apiece. It also seemed as if the police were downright ignorant considering they even took souvenirs from the dead couple. -ACL
I never knew this couple actually existed! I always heard of them, but I assumed that they were just a ‘cartoon’ of some sort- let alone they were famous for killing 9 officers and robbing 12 banks! They had no trouble taking the blame for it either!
This group was notorious for the crimes they committed.
I think it’s interesting how one couple made such an imprint in America’s history.
I have heard of Bonnie and Clyde before. I know that this is a common “couples Halloween costume.” I enjoyed learning about them, seeing as I’ve never really looked into it before.
I had no idea they were so young when they died. They killed so many police officers. You wonder why. Was it just for the money and fame.
I have heard of this story and these two people many times throughout my life, but did not realize how young they were when they died. It seems like such a Hollywood story, which I guess was there goal considering people still talk about them today.
Bonnie and Clyde led very reckless lives and needed to be stopped. I do find it disrespectful that the police took souvenirs from the incident to keep, instead of turning everything over to the rightful owners and Bonnie and Clyde’s family’s.
The stories surrounding Bonnie and Clyde seem so outlandish that they almost are hard to believe. Strangely, the stuff of outlaw legends.
I have heard many stories about Bonnie and Clyde but I did not realize that this is how they died. I think it was rude of the police officers to seize their stuff as souvenirs but there was not much that could be done. I am also wondering if they returned the woman’s car to her with the car in that kind of shape?
Bonnie and Clyde is such an amazing story that it is almost unbelievable. what a fast life
Growing up watching old westerns with my poppa, I have an appreciation for Bonnie and Clyde. I did not really realize that this was how they died, and a bit rude of the police officers to take their things as a personal gain
I think Bonnie and Clyde’s story is so interesting! I have such an appreciation for what they did.
Bonnie and Clyde is a story well know in history and in movies. Kinda like modern day Thelma and Louise! I always am intrigued about their two year crime spree, its just interesting to me.
I never realized that Bonnie and Clyde were so young when they met. I think the fact that Bonnie was younger than 15 when she left her husband for Clyde shows immorality as well as the sexual maturity in young women as opposed to today’s society. In this era, it was much more likely for a couple to get married at a younger age.
The story of Bonnie and Clyde is an intriguing one! I never realized how young they were when they died. Their crimes are also very interesting to look into, some very reckless youngsters they were!
I have heard of this dynamic duo many times. It is interesting to see that they died together while still committing a crime. This is a story I would be interested to learn more about.
I was most impressed that Clyde executed a prison breakout for some of the members of his gang.
I have never actually heard, or read much about Bonnie and Clyde. It was interesting to me to read this article and then to learn about their death. In our society now this would not have over well at all. It seemed a little unnecessary to fire 130 rounds.
Great article. I have read and seen several documentaries about the duo. I have also had the opportunity to see the vehicle. It was interesting to see but still creepy because people were killed in the car.
I heard about Bonnie and Clyde from movie, but just the first time to hear them from the history.
It is unbelievable that a couple and their gang could rob about 12 banks, many stores and gas stations and had killed 9 police officers and a handful of civilians in the process. It do not like a real thing but the plot of a movie.
I find it odd that they hold an annual festival at the site of the ambush. What are they celebrating?
The story of Bonnie and Clyde almost seems unreal. It’s interesting to me how the couple committed so many crimes , but are almost remembered in a positive light more than negative. The story is amazing, but what they did was not good!.
I’ve always heard of Bonnie and Clyde, but never knew the story of the two. This was very interesting.
I find it crazy that Bonnie and Clyde committed so many crimes.
It is crazy to me that she got married at 15 years old! regardless of the crimes, she was only 15!
I find it crazy that the cops fired about 130 rounds at the duo during the ambush, but it also makes sense because they didn’t want them to get away again.
It’s amazing how far people let themselves get pushed due to their circumstances.
what a way for a classic duo to go out.
I wonder how the police would handle a similar situation today.
This was such a crazy situation and amazes me how early people got married back then
Bonny and Clyde are my favorite duo in history.
ugh i love old crime stories
i cannot believe they only robbed 12 banks! Their legend makes it seem like so many more.
crimes still happen 🙁
Bonnie and Clyde is a classic story that most have heard, but I learn different things about it each time I hear it. Although they were criminals, I’d have to say that they’re one of my favorite duos.
The story seems to change every time it is told.Then again that is the typical grand story.
I’m ok with the ambush for the sake of the safety of society and Law Enforcement, but to steal there things is criminal in itself. Ok, maybe the ambush as a little harsh.
Interesting how we romanticize theft and murder.
I can’t believe that Clyde’s father had the nerve to ask for the guns back that killed so many people.
Yes that is true why would you want those guns that killed all those people.
Some of the most famous criminals in the history of the U.S. They have a interesting love tale to say the least.
Bonnie and Clyde was defiantly a run for the crime world until shot dead by the police.
Not surprising at all that during that time when they were ambushed no one bothered to call for medical attention. Back then, people were more concerned for the victims of criminals than the criminals themselves.
I am in shock that people would want to keep something from their car. The dad also wanting the guns back is a little distorted as well.
All famous criminals eventually get caught. They were dangerous and evil. They got what they deserved.
Very interesting to say the least. A criminal is a criminal not matter what and will be caught at some point.
It is sad when someone live is taken, but these two would have killed more people if they would not have been stopped by police officers. The police officers are always out gun when they go against serious criminals, but we are finally catching up.
Bonnie and Clyde are one of the most famous criminal couples in history. Their story is very interesting, the two were true outlaws. I did not know that Clyde killed a man for sexually assaulting him in jail (This is disturbing).
Out of the two I find Bonnie Parker to be the most interesting. Clyde was always a con man getting caught and going in and out of prison, honestly I think Bonnie was the main reason for their success. Bonnie was actually a very bright woman who had a gift for literature and poetry. She was actually captured once and only spent about two months in jail were she passed the time by writing poetry. Bonnie was actually married when she was with Clyde, but her husband who she never divorced was abusive and was actually sentenced to jail for five years for robbery. The couple has always been famous not just for their violent life style, but their love story. Seems to me Bonnie Parker always fell for the wrong type of guy.
I find it interesting that there is a Bonnie and Clyde festival. Six police officers shot off 130 rounds to kill Bonnie and Clyde and at least 25 shots hit them… I think that is a huge gap between what was shot and what actually hit them.
While it is appalling the amount of violence completed by the most infamous duo, there is something that society loves about Bonnie and Clyde and it makes us want to learn about them.
I got to see their car in Vegas as it was on display. As was Clydes bloody shirt he was wearing. I was surprised at how small clides shirt was.
I find it a little morbid to have a festival at the site of their killing. They killed so many people, some for more important reasons than others, but they were murderers. Now they are infamous for being “bad asses” and their story is often presented as a twisted love story. I can’t really wrap a logical though around that.
It is despicable to think that two people were willing to kill and rob so many people. I find it more unsatisfying that people would moralize such people.
I don’t think that there should be a festival every year for these two criminals. It is a sad story that they took the lives of police officers along with innocent civilians. It’s also sad that the police officers weren’t equipped with the right force to meet these criminals.
I find it very strange we have a festive for these people every year. The killed multiple people, I don’t think that is something we should be throwing a festival for.
The story of Bonnie and Clyde was always interesting and fascinating to me. Its crazy that police fired about 130 rounds just to kill the duo. May 23rd will always be a day to remember.
I have to admit I was curious as to why we would be having a festival to celebrate Bonnie and Clyde. Was it to honor the two outlaws or was it to celebrate their death? Either way I could not find a reason to celebrate. According to debez.com the festival is not to celebrate either activity. The paragraph below is directly from http://debez.com/blanche/festival.html
This annual festival is not meant to glorify the life and crimes of Bonnie & Clyde nor to celebrate their tragic death. It is an annual get together of family members, historians and authors so they can share their interest in the history and the mystery. The town welcomes anyone who wishes to attend and learn the truth about the history of Bonnie & Clyde.
I think it was definitely overkill to shoot that many rounds into a vehicle with two people in it. The festival is odd I don’t understand why anyone would want to celebrate them or their death.
Bonnie and Clyde are still the two most infamous outlaws in U.S. history. Shot 25 times apiece. Who did the law enforcement think they were shooting at? A small army?
People always feel sympathetic towards Bonnie and Clyde. They are viewed as an epic love story, when in reality they were murderers. They killed NINE police officers. They got what they deserved.
I can see where people feel that many rounds fired was a little excessive but I believe people were probably desperate to catch and/or kills these two love birds. The people they killed, the banks they robbed and helping people escape from prison would make anyone desperate to make them stop. The officers did what they needed to.
They had this coming to them. They were murderers and thieves! I do not feel like them being shot so much was excessive or too much. Still two of the most famous outlaws ever in history.
I did not realize they were so young. They definitely caused a lot of mischief in their short lives. They obviously made history, but still unfortunate that it cost them their lives!
I remember reading one time about a law that prohibits one from profiting from crimes they committed. I wonder if the monies made off of Bonnie and Clyde’s life goes to their trust? Interesting.
Imagine taking the historic photograph of Bonnie and Clyde after they met their demise. They are still the most famous outlaws in the United States by far!
As an aside, if the police killed two “outlaws” today with 130 rounds (even though they killed 9 police officers) the media would be all over it! I’m sure not a word was said about it back then.
Next to reading Romeo and Juliet, I love reading about Bonnie and Clyde! Fun fact to know they had a whole gang, I thought they were just a duo.
The story line behind Bonnie and Clyde is one I will always enjoy. Nonetheless I am unsure as to why the police had to fire so many rounds. I do not understand why people have festivals to celebrate their death though, there has been other people in history who have done things much worse than they did.
Always enjoyed movies about Bonnie and Clyde. 130 rounds?! they wanted to make sure they were dead !
I wonder where the possessions are now, it would be pretty cool to see them all on display!
I have always heard of Bonnie and Clyde however it was interesting reading more about them. I was unaware how young they were!
It was very interesting to learn more about this famous crime duo. I did not know that they were so young. I find it a little creepy that there is a festival each year at their death site.
It is interesting article by know Bonnie and Clyde, how can a married couple were doing that? they might just want to get more money. They were killing 9 police officer already leading them to death.
This history is a shock to me， which was famous criminal in usa
Now I know more about the famous Bonnie and Clyde! If that were to happen today the police officers would have been ridiculed for over use of force.