SCHOOLGIRL SHOT DEAD

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 122, 18 February 1944, Page 6

SCHOOLGIRL SHOT DEAD

Tragedy Near Dannevirke

COMMITS SUICIDE

Dominion Special Service. DANNEVIRKE, February 17. While walking with her two sisters on the main road between Makotuku and Ormondville, about 10 miles from Dannevirke, this afternoon, a schoolgirl wa/. shot dead by an elderly man who then committed suicide. The dead are :— ' • Dorothy Ellen Carruthers, aged 144, of Makotuku. Jack Donghi, single, aged between 0.0 ■and '7O, also of Makotuku. •■ :' .- The girl, in company with her. two younger sisters, aged 10 and eight years, at about 5 p.m. was returning to her home at Makotuku after doing some messages at Ormondville.. They were met on the road by Donghi, who was carrying a shotgun, and he walked with them for a while. When they were about half a mile from Makotuku', Donghi made suggestions to the eldest girl, who refused. He then threatened to shoot her, and when she again refused he shot her ill the head at close range with his shotgun. The two younger girls ran away and were met by a motorist who had been attracted by the shot. He saw Donghi run off the road into blackberries. The motorist took the children to their home, and the police were informed. When they reached the scene of the tragedy, Donghi was found dead in a gully about 50 yards from the girl’s body. Donghi was described as being not. of a i normal mentality. He was a wellknown resident of the district and a neighbour of the girl, living in a bach across the- road from her home. The spot where the shooting occurred is on the main road and there are no houses in the vicinity.