The Bradley Gang Shootout

The 1929 massacre of the Bradley Gang by Derry citizens, another example of the town's violent history and It's presence.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Ambush

The Citizens' Execution The Gang's Arrival The Bradley Gang, a group of outlaws, came to Derry to buy ammunition. The local pharmacist, Lal Machen, recognized them and spread the word. When the gang returned to pick up their order, they were ambushed by a mob of armed citizens. The Shootout A fierce gun battle erupted in the intersection of Main, Canal, and Kansas Streets. The gang was outnumbered and killed. The mob included many prominent citizens, and the event was covered up as a police action. The Clown During the shootout, a clown was seen among the mob, shooting at the gang. He was later identified as Pennywise. This was further evidence of It's manipulation of Derry's violence.

The Cover-Up

The Hidden Truth The Official Story The official story was that the Bradley Gang was killed by police and FBI agents. The truth—that a mob of citizens had executed them—was suppressed. The event was another example of Derry's collective denial. The Research Mike Hanlon uncovered the truth through interviews with old-timers like Norbert Keene. He learned that the clown had been present, further linking It to the town's history of violence. The Significance The Bradley Gang shootout demonstrated how easily Derry's citizens could be incited to violence. It was a manifestation of the evil that lurked beneath the surface. The Losers' fight against It was also a fight against that legacy.

October 1929

1929-1985