The gas phase detection of benzocyclopropenyl is reported. In this aromatic resonance stabilized radical, a large angular strain is present due to a three-membered ring annelated to a benzene. The resonant two-color two-photon ionization technique is used to record the D1(2A2) ← D0(2B1) electronic transition of this radical after the in situ synthesis in a discharge source. The spectrum features absorptions up to 3300 cm-1 above the origin band at 19 305 cm-1. Benzocyclopropenyl is possibly the major product of the bimolecular reaction of benzene and an atomic carbon at low temperatures. © 2015 American Chemical Society.