The gas phase detection of benzocyclopropenyl is reported. In this 18900 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 D-1((2)A(2)) <- D-0(B-2(1)) 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). Benzocydopropenyl is possibly the major product of the bimolecular reaction of benzene and an atomic carbon at low temperatures.