Incident Summary:

3/16/1972: Four members of the Black Liberation Army robbed a Bankers Trust Company branch in the Bronx, New York, United States. The perpetrators stole $180,000. When police officers arrived on the scene a brief shoot-out occurred. Police officer Robert Kirsh was wounded and the assailants were able to escape.

GTD ID:
197203160002

When:
1972-03-16

Country:
United States

Region:
North America

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

New York

City:
New York City

Location Details:
The Bronx

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Hostage Taking (Barricade Incident)
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Business
Name of Entity Bankers Trust Company
Specific Description Bankers Trust Company branch at 2104 Crotona Parkway Bronx New York
Nationality of Target United States
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage $118,000.00
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Weapon Details
Guns
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) No
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Additional Information The incident occurred around 9:40 AM. One of the perpetrators was Black Liberation Army member Twymon Ford Myers who would later be killed in a shoot-out with police. It is unknown if the money stolen from the robbery was divvied up between the perpetrators or used to fund the causes of the Black Liberation Army.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Black Liberation Army (suspected) No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators 4
Number of Captured Perpetrators Unknown
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 0 Fatalities / 1 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 0
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 1
Number of U.S. Injured 1
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Policeman Is Hurt In $90,000 Holdup Of Bank in Bronx," New York Times, March 17, 1972.
John T. McQuiston, "Fugitive Black Militant Killed, 4 Wounded in Bronx Shootout," New York Times, November 15, 1973.
"Suspect in Kidnapping Sought In the Killing of Two Policemen," New York Times, December 29, 1972.