The Failed Assassination of Al Capone by Bugs Moran

Name: The Failed Assassination of Al Capone by Bugs Moran
Start: 1926-09-20
Location: Unspecified

Overview of the Attempted Assassination

The year was **1926**, a pivotal moment in the history of organized crime in Chicago. In a daring move, **George "Bugs" Moran**, a notorious gang leader, attempted to eliminate one of his fiercest rivals, **Al Capone**. This brazen attempt marked an escalation in the violent turf wars that characterized the Prohibition era, where crime syndicates vied for control over illegal alcohol sales.

Bugs Moran's Motives

George Moran, known as **Bugs**, had a longstanding feud with Capone, stemming from both personal and business disputes. Moran, who led the **North Side Gang**, saw Capone's **South Side Italian Gang** as a significant threat to his operations. The failed drive-by shooting was an effort to reclaim power and eliminate Capone's influence within the Chicago underworld.

The Execution of the Plan

The assassination attempt took place on a bustling Chicago street as Moran’s men attempted to pull off a well-planned drive-by shooting. As they targeted Capone, who was known to have a routine, the plan backfired spectacularly. Instead of hitting their target, the effort resulted in the exposure of Moran's gang and escalated the violent power struggle between the two factions.

Consequences of the Attack

The aftermath of Moran's assassination attempt had profound consequences for both him and Capone. While Moran narrowly escaped the shooting, the attack contributed to the violent reputation of the Chicago gangs. Capone, already a notorious figure, used the incident to further solidify his position as a dominant force in organized crime.

Capone's Retaliation

Following the failed assassination, Capone's victory was not simply in survival but also in asserting his dominance over the North Side Gang. The drive-by shooting served as a red flag, prompting Capone to intensify his security measures and launch severe retaliatory actions against rival gangs, including Moran’s.

The Decline of Bugs Moran

As a result of this violent rivalry and the fallout from the assassination attempt, Bugs Moran's gang began to weaken. Within a few years, the North Side Gang faced internal strife and increasing pressure from law enforcement and Capone’s forces, leading to Moran’s eventual decline in power.

Fun Fact

Bugs Moran’s Close Call

In a twist of irony, Bugs Moran avoided death during the drive-by shooting but was later involved in one of the most infamous events of the Chicago mob wars—the **St. Valentine's Day Massacre** in 1929, where seven of his associates were brutally gunned down, solidifying the infamous saga of the gangster era.