You might think that the event in Hollywood a few years ago, where two suspects dressed in military gear tried to rob a Bank Of America and then shoot it out on live TV was the most violent Gunfight ever recorded....But to Police Officers in the Inland Empire, the most violent shootout occurred not in the in LA, nor in Compton or even Tustin, but rather, in Norco, and before it was over, this violent crime would become the most notorious criminal event in the IE.

In History, it is known quite simply as the Norco Bank Robbery Shootout.....The following is a newspaper report from the old Daily Report.... "May 9, 1980. Shootout between police in Norco, California and five heavily armed suspects armed with assault rifles as well as various explosive and incendiary devices. After a shootout with police at a bank in Norco, the suspects became involved in a prolonged chase in which the suspects shot at police, disabled 33 police vehicles, and civilian cars with improvised explosive devices thrown from the back of a truck. The suspects also disabled a police helicopter. Later the suspects lay in wait for police as they chased them and ambushed them resulting in the death of a police officer and injury to others. One of the suspects was killed in the shootout, one during a standoff with Police, and three were later captured. 8 officers were injured. Deaths: Suspects: 2; Police: 1" Now, here is a first hand story of the robbery as it unfolded before the first officer on the scene......Sheriff Deputy John Bolasky.