‘Shoot it like crazy’: North Hollywood shootout photographer revisits the scene

February 28, 1997 began like any normal day for Los Angeles Daily News photographer Gene Blevins. He was sitting down with his first cup of coffee, gearing up for whatever breaking news Los Angeles might throw his way.

Then he heard something on his radio: an armed robbery at the Bank of America in North Hollywood. Los Angeles Police Department officers were responding in force. He dropped the coffee, grabbed his camera and was out the door.

• PHOTOS: North Hollywood shootout 20th anniversary — a look at the past and present

When he arrived on scene, Blevins thought the shootout was over — but it turned out the two violent armed robbers were just getting started.

When the gun battle was over, Blevins had come away with some remarkable photos of a chaotic crime that has gone down in history as among the most infamous shootouts in American history.

• TIMELINE: How the infamous North Hollywood shootout unfolded 20 years ago

Watch the video above to learn more about how Blevins maneuvered through the chaotic gun battle 20 years ago.

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