FARM TRAGEDY

Evening Star, Issue 22030, 16 May 1935, Page 8

FARM TRAGEDY

FATHER SHOT DEAD SON FOUND WITH GUN IN HAND (Per United Press Association.] TIMARU, May 16. A shocking tragedy was enacted just after midnight on a farm at Pleasant Valley, some miles from Geraldine. According to the police, Walter Shaw, an elderly farmer, was found dead with a double gunshot wound in the chest over the heart, and his son, Darcy Walter Shaw, aged 26, was standing nearby with a gun in his hands. Darcy Walter Shaw is stated to'have been under medical treatment by Dr Curtis, of Geraldine, for a short time, and it is alleged that at about midnight he left the bouse, going to a shed 25 yards from the back door, and getting a gun. His father followed him from the house, and the women in the house were horrifiad to hear a double gunshot a few minutes later. Rushing out they found Shaw sen., lying on the ground with a gaping wound in his chest, and the son with a gun in his possession. They induced him to surrender the weapon, and sent a mile for neighbours, who secured the son, holding him until the arrival of the Geraldine police at 1.30 a.m. Accused was arrested, and appeared before the court this morning, charged with murdering his father. He was carried into court by five constables, and was remanded till May 24. Accused, a well-known athlete, had been, working with his father on the Eroperty, which is one of about one undred acres.