The Pine Ridge Shootout of 1975

As mentioned last month, the “Tactical Professor” is writing a series of articles about what should be the most famous gunfights in history (like the one at Kansas City's Union Station in 1933). The Professor (Claude Werner) recently released a treatise on the Pine Ridge India Reservation Shootout in 1975, in which 2 FBI agents (Ronald Williams and Jack Coler) were murdered; Williams was hit several times and Williams arm was nearly severed before they were executed at close range.

From the article,

Agent Williams had pursued a vehicle he believed contained the subject of the warrant. Agent Coler, who was nearby, came to assist. Only a few seconds into the pursuit, the subject vehicle came to a stop. Agent Williams radioed that the vehicle had stopped and the occupants had dismounted with weapons. The Agents' vehicles then came under fire not only from the pursued vehicle's occupants but from nearby houses, called the Jumping Bull Compound.

Upon hearing Agent Williams' transmission, FBI Agent Gary Adams drove to assist, however, he was 12 miles away. Williams called over the radio that both he and Coler had been hit. Gunfire could be heard in the background. That was his last transmission. Testimony indicated that persons from a nearby tent encampment heard the firing, came to the scene, and also began shooting at the agents. Later testimony indicated that at least seven persons fired at Williams and Coler.

Upon arriving, Agent Adams, joined by Police Officers of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, came under rifle fire. Their tires were shot out and because of the fire they were unable to reach Agents Williams and Coler for several hours.

You can read more here.

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