The Louisiana ambush where six officers fired 130 rounds at America’s most notorious lovers

Bonnie and Clyde’s Car at Bienville Parish, Louisiana

The manhunt for Bonnie and Clyde lasted 102 days.

It ended at 9:15 AM on a back road in Bienville Parish when six Texas Rangers and Louisiana officers turned their stolen car into Swiss cheese.

Two years of bank robberies and murders came to a brutal finish south of Gibsland as the officers unleashed 130 rounds in less than 20 seconds.

Here’s the real story of that deadly ambush, plus how to find the roadside marker that stands there today.

Methvin’s Betrayal Orchestrated the Ambush

Henry Methvin joined the Barrow Gang in January 1934 after Clyde helped him escape from Eastham Prison in Texas.

The gang split up in mid-May when spotted outside a diner in Shreveport. Police convinced Methvin’s father Ivy to help set up an ambush.

Texas prison boss Lee Simmons had sworn to hunt down everyone involved in the prison break. Methvin saved himself by betraying his former partners.

Frank Hamer Relentlessly Pursued the Couple

Texas prison officials hired former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer in February 1934 to catch Bonnie and Clyde.

His record of 53 kills made him perfect for this tough job.

Hamer tracked the couple for 102 days, studying how they moved. He noticed they often crossed state lines, knowing police couldn’t pursue them across borders.

In May 1934, Hamer learned they planned a visit to Ivy Methvin’s home in Bienville Parish. This tip let him gather his team and plan the perfect ambush spot.

Six Lawmen Formed the Ambush Posse

The ambush team included officers from both Texas and Louisiana. They brought rifles, shotguns, and pistols to face the armed outlaws.

Texas sent former Rangers Frank Hamer and Maney Gault, plus Dallas County deputies Ted Hinton and Bob Alcorn.

Bienville Parish Sheriff Henderson Jordan and Chief Deputy Prentiss Oakley joined the team from Louisiana.

Deputy Hinton had even known Bonnie years earlier when she was a waitress in Dallas.

Setting Up the Ambush on Highway 154

The lawmen picked a spot on Highway 154, about 7 miles south of Gibsland.

This country road had a thick brush for hiding while still letting them see approaching cars. They got in position by May 21 or 22.

They parked Ivy Methvin’s truck on the roadside with a wheel removed to make it look like it had recently broken down.

The officers hid in the bushes for up to 36 hours. By the morning of May 23, they were ready to give up, until they heard a car approaching.

The Last Breakfast at Ma Canfield’s Cafe

Bonnie and Clyde stopped at Ma Canfield’s Cafe in Gibsland around 8 am on their final morning. They ate breakfast unaware of who sat among them.

Clyde went inside for a fried bologna sandwich and a BLT for Bonnie, who waited in the car. They had grown careful about being seen together in public.

After eating, they drove south on Highway 154 toward Ivy Methvin’s home. Their Ford carried them the 7.5 miles to the ambush in about 15 minutes.

The Stolen Ford V8 That Carried Them to Death

Clyde stole the 1934 Ford V8 sedan on April 29 from Ruth Warren in Kansas. He swapped its Kansas plates for stolen Arkansas ones.

The gray Ford had a powerful V8 engine, fast enough to outrun most police cars. Clyde loved these cars and even wrote to Henry Ford.

The stolen car had cost Mrs. Warren $835 (around $18,000 today) and came with good tires and a heater for long drives.

The Moment Bullets Tore Through Steel and Flesh

The Ford approached the ambush site fast around 9:15 a.m.

Clyde slowed when he saw Ivy Methvin’s truck. Deputy Oakley fired first without orders, hitting Clyde in the head and killing him instantly.

The other five officers immediately opened fire too. Rifle shots hit the car first, followed by shotgun blasts and pistol fire.

The shooting continued even after the car rolled into a ditch. Officers kept firing until sure both outlaws were dead.

The Death Car Riddled With Bullet Holes

The Ford took over 100 bullet holes during the short but fierce attack.

The windshield shattered, tires popped, and engine parts broke as bullets tore through metal and glass.

Inside the shot-up car, officers found many weapons including rifles, shotguns, handguns, and 15 sets of license plates from different states.

The car later became a tourist attraction, touring the country for decades before ending up at a Nevada casino where people can still see it today.

Dr. Wade’s Grim Autopsy Findings

Coroner Dr. J.L. Wade examined both bodies and found shocking damage. According to Texas Hideout, the coroner’s report offered key details.

His report counted 17 bullet wounds on Clyde and 26 on Bonnie. Many bullets hit their heads, with one cutting through Clyde’s spine.

The wounds from rifles, shotguns, and pistols were so much that undertaker C.F. Bailey struggled to prepare them for burial.

Souvenir Hunters Descend on the Death Scene

News of the shooting spread fast by phone and word of mouth. Within hours, thousands of people rushed to the site and later to the funeral home.

People cut the locks of Bonnie’s hair, tore pieces from her dress, and picked up bullet casings. Someone even tried to cut off Clyde’s finger.

Gibsland’s population jumped from 2,000 to about 12,000 in hours as people came to see the famous outlaws’ bodies and the car.

Police struggled to control the chaotic scene.

Visiting Bonnie and Clyde Death Site in Gibsland, Louisiana

You’ll find the ambush site on Louisiana Highway 154 (Parish Road 300), 8 miles south of Gibsland. Two granite markers commemorate both the outlaws and the lawmen.

In Gibsland, visit the Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum at 2419 Main Street, housed in the former Ma Canfield’s Cafe where the couple ate their last meal.

Bring water and comfortable shoes if exploring the roadside ambush area.

For a deeper experience, time your visit during the annual Authentic Bonnie and Clyde Festival held each May with reenactments and historical displays.

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