1997 North Hollywood bank robbery: A look at one of the most prolific gun battles in LA's history

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- In 1997, two bank robbers armed with an arsenal of weapons started one of the most prolific gun battles in L.A.'s history. In "True Crime: The North Hollywood Shootout 25 Years Later," we take a look back at the chaos that unfolded on that day.

Larry Phillips and Emil Matasareanu opened fire on cops and bystanders after robbing a Bank of America in North Hollywood.

The gun battle lasted 44 minutes. The robbers were armed with thousands of rounds of ammunition, custom fitted body armor and weapons altered to be fully automatic assault rifles.

It started as one of the most brazen heists in L.A. history. It ended in a war on the streets of North Hollywood. Now 25 years later, we take a look back at the 44 minutes of terror that changed L.A. forever.

In less than one hour, Phillips and Matasareanu tried to kill 64 police officers and 18 innocent bystanders - all of it happening on live television.

Their actions would in turn change American policing forever.

The North Hollywood shootout is still considered one of the most violent and infamous bank takeovers. Twenty-five years later, two survivors reflect on what they witnessed.

READ ALSO | LAPD Chief Michel Moore looks back at 1997 NoHo bank robbery

Moore, who was an officer at the time, recalls getting called to the scene and says the shootout significantly changed American policing forever.