Page "Pretty Boy Floyd" Paragraph 15

At least three accounts exist of the following events: one given by the FBI, one by other people in the area, and one by local law enforcement.

The accounts agree that, after obtaining some food at a local pool hall owned by Charles Joy, a friend of Floyd's, Floyd hitched a ride in an East Liverpool neighborhood on October 22, 1934.

He was spotted by the team of lawmen, at which point he broke from the vehicle and fled toward the treeline.

Local retired officer Chester Smith fired first, hitting Floyd in the right arm, knocking him to the ground.

At this point, the three accounts diverge ; the FBI agents later attempted to claim all the credit, denying local law enforcement were even present at the actual shooting.

According to the local police account, Floyd regained his footing and continued to run, at which point the entire team opened fire, knocking him to the ground.

Floyd died shortly thereafter from his wounds.