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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into North Hollywood shootout. () |
| Emil Decebal Matasareanu | |
|---|---|
 Emil Matasareanu's 1993 mugshot |
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| Born | July 19, 1966 Romania |
| Died | February 28, 1997 North Hollywood, California |
| Other names | Emil Matasareanu |
| Known for | one of the perpetrators in the North Hollywood shootout |
| Occupation | bank robber |
Emil Dechebal Matasareanu (July 19, 1966 – February 28, 1997) is best known as one of two men who robbed a Bank of America in North Hollywood, California, on February 28, 1997. He was born in Romania and grew up in Altadena. Following the robbery, he and his accomplice, Larry Eugene Phillips, Jr., participated in a massive daylight shootout with police. As they were occupied with robbing the bank and keeping control of their hostages, a large number of police officers gathered outside, as a result of an officer's request for backup and his report of the suspects being armed with automatic AK-47 rifles. As the suspects were about to flee the scene, they encountered the police officers outside and opened fire, shooting wildly for several minutes. Later, Matasareanu drove the getaway car while Phillips walked alongside it and continued shooting at the police. After some time, they were separated. Phillips, surrounded by police, committed suicide with a Beretta 92F handgun after his AK-47 jammed. He was unable to clear the lodged bullet due to a gunshot wound to his hand.
Finally, the SWAT team arrived and after a brief shootout, they wounded Matasareanu. Taking cover behind his getaway car, Matasareanu continued to fire until he had been shot in the feet and lower legs by SWAT officers firing from under their cruiser. Seemingly more angry than in pain, Matasareanu continiously swore at anybody nearby. He repeatedly shouted "shoot me in the head!". He later died of his wounds at the scene. He was hit 29 times. The Matasareanu family later filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Police Department for taking too long to provide him with medical attention, and also for reported brutality against Emil as he was handcuffed in the street. The city responded by saying that Matasareanu's constant taunts for police to "shoot me in the head" had caused police to worry that he may be suicidal. The first trial resulted in a hung jury, and the lawsuit was later dropped.
