The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre

Date and Location

• Date: February 14, 1929
• Location: Lincoln Park neighborhood, Chicago, Illinois

Background

The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre was a pivotal event in the violent history of organized crime in the United States during the Prohibition era. This period, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, saw the rise of powerful criminal organizations that profited from the illegal production and distribution of alcohol. Chicago became a notorious battleground for these gangs, with two dominant factions: the South Side Italian gang led by Al Capone and the North Side Irish gang led by George “Bugs” Moran.

The Event

On the morning of February 14, 1929, seven members and associates of the North Side Gang were lined up against a wall inside a garage at 2122 North Clark Street. They were then shot and killed by four men, two of whom were dressed as uniformed policemen. This strategic disguise allowed the gunmen to enter the garage without raising suspicion.

Victims

The victims included:

• Peter Gusenberg and Frank Gusenberg: Enforcers for the North Side Gang
• Albert Kachellek (alias James Clark): Moran’s second-in-command
• Adam Heyer: The gang’s bookkeeper and business manager
• Reinhardt Schwimmer: An optometrist and gang associate
• Albert Weinshank: Managed several cleaning and dyeing operations for the gang
• John May: An occasional mechanic for the gang

Alleged Perpetrators

The massacre was widely believed to have been orchestrated by Al Capone, who sought to eliminate his rival, Bugs Moran. However, Capone was in Florida at the time, providing him with an alibi. The actual shooters were never conclusively identified, and no one was ever tried for the murders.

Aftermath and Significance

• Impact on Organized Crime: The massacre marked a turning point in the public perception of organized crime in America. The brutality of the event shocked the nation and drew significant media attention, highlighting the extent of gang violence.
• Law Enforcement Response: The massacre prompted increased efforts by law enforcement to tackle organized crime, leading to more aggressive investigations and prosecutions.
• Al Capone’s Downfall: Although Capone was not directly implicated in the massacre, the increased scrutiny eventually led to his conviction on tax evasion charges in 1931, which effectively ended his reign as a crime boss.

Broader Historical Context

The Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre exemplified the lawlessness of the Prohibition era and underscored the challenges faced by authorities in controlling organized crime. It also contributed to the growing public disillusionment with Prohibition, which was eventually repealed in 1933 with the 21st Amendment.

The massacre remains one of the most infamous events in the history of American organized crime, symbolizing the violent power struggles that characterized the era.