TRAGEDY IN SYDNEY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 178, 22 April 1924, Page 6

TRAGEDY IN SYDNEY

MAN SHOOTS HIS SON-IN-LAW AND ATTEMPTS TO COMMIT SUICIDE (Rec. April 21, 10.20 p.m.) Sydney, April 21. William Datson. 74 years of age, fatally shot his son-in-law. George Hawkins, aged 51 years, with a re volver, and then shot himself, at their residence in North Sydney. MrsHawkins who is a step-daughter of Datson, informed the police that she was in a downstairs room with her husband, when he went upstairs to get a pipe. He met Datson, who was highlv excited, auj holding a revolver, on the stairs. Datson suddenly fired, shooting Hawkins in the heart and killing him instantly. Mrs. Hawkips rushed into the street to secure assistance, and when she returned Datson was on the balcony waving the revolver. The police were then sent for, and on arrival Datson refused to put his hands up. The police fired a shot, entered, and went to Datson’s room. He refused to open the door. The police fired another shot, then hearing a shot from within they forced the door and found Datson on the floor ■wounded in the arm and mouth. Datson has been in bad health for Bt>me time. He was sent to hospital, in a serious condition. —Press Assn.