Page "North Hollywood shootout" Paragraph 12

The first-responding officers outside heard the gunfire from the bank and made another radio call to summon additional units, and proceeded to take cover behind their patrol car, weapons trained on the bank doors.

Additional patrol and detective units arrived while the robbers were inside the bank, taking strategic positions and surrounding the bank on all four corners.

At around 9: 32 a. m., Phillips exited the bank through its north doorway and Mătăsăreanu through its south doorway.

Both encountered several LAPD patrol officers, who had arrived after the first-responding officers radioed the " shots fired " call.

Television news helicopters responding to the " shots fired " SWAT commanders used the live helicopter broadcasts to pass critical, time-sensitive information to the officers on the scene.

Officers shouted repeatedly for Phillips and Mătăsăreanu to drop their weapons, but none of the officers fired.