BONDI SENSATION

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11405, 5 January 1931, Page 5

BONDI SENSATION

DESPER ADO KILLS TWO CON- . STAiBLES

SHOT DOWN BY THIRD OFFICER

ASSAILANT IN DYING CONDITION

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel Copyrisht) SYDNEY, Jan. 3

There was a sensational happening this morning at Bondi junction when a man named. Kennedy, - lenown. as "Waverley Bill” entered a shop, purchased some goods, and refused to pay. The shop attendant called Constable Allen, upon whose entry Kennedy drew a' revolver and shot him dead- Kennedy then hurried out and made for'his home. '

A second constable, Andrews, jumped from a passing tram and gave chase. Upon; reaching Kennedy’s Rome, Kennedy attacked him with a knife, inflicting stabs which proved fatal. Shortly after a third constable, Johnston, went to Kennedy’s place iqntli in am altercation shot Kennedy, who is now in' .hospital in a dying condition. The police seized a groat quantity of ammunition in Kennedy’s rooms.

TERRORISING SHOPKEEPERS

CONSTABLE ALLEN SHOT IN COLD BLOOD

COURAGEOUS COMRADE FOLLOWS MANIAC TO HOUSE

WOUNDED.AND THEN GASHED WITH BOWIE KNIFE

THIRD POLICEMAN PROVES TOO QUICK ON DRAW

U.P.A hy Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Jan. 4, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, Jan. 4

The man responsible for the afternoon’s slaying of two policeman at'Bondi Junction is John Thomas Kennedy, a powerfully-built, strong, wild-looking man. He lias been tex--rorising shopkeepers in the Oxford Street neighbourhood for some weeks by walking in and demanding goods, and declining to pay therefore, saying: “I do not pay for these. I am a Communist.” After he was shot by Constable Johnston, Kennedy struggled like a maniac in the ambulance en route to hospital. An investigation of the house where he lived in Lawson street, disclosed a miniature rifle range, showing signs of much practice. Kennedy terrified the residents of the street hy walking up and down brandishing a pea rifle and behaving eccentrically. It appears that he entered Mick Simmons’ shop and demanded tobacco ,and cigarettes. He appeared grimly determined, with eyes glaring, and clasped a small repeating rifle.

The .manager of the shop, Air DibbV, gathered some goods, made up a parcel, and gave it to the man, who walked out.

On being recalled, and asked to prty, he refused, putting the parcel .hack on (the countes, and declaring,

:‘You have got an ordar on me for those.” The manager denied this suggestion, whereupon Kennedy said. "AH right, I will have this shop shut up, and you .will -have to face a! firing squad.” He then walked out. Constable Allen was called, and told what happened, and went out, saying; “All right, I will look him up.” and followed Kennedy, whom he -picked up a hundred yards away walking carelessly -along the footpath, aiming his rifle at terrified passersby.

The constable accosted,,the maniac, who turned and seeing the man in uniform, placed the gun against his chest and fired. Constable Allen fell.

Constable Andrew's Was given a revolver .by a. bus man who saw toe slaying, and followed Kennedy with others, to his house. There Constable Andrews made his way in, buff. Kennedy, who had barricaded himself in, opened fire, at least one shot taking effect-. Not satisfied with that, Kennedy rushed to 'the fallen man, and inflicted a fearful w'ouncl with a bow’io .knife.

A crowd gathered round, and Constable Johnston, of IVaverley, acrack shot, stepped towmrds the house, only to be met by a fnsilade, which, however, unharmed him and several civilians who went to his support. Constable Johnston got a sight of the maniac as he sprang to make a fresh attack on .tlio besiegf/rs, and was evidently quicker on the draw, as Kennedy fell shot in the body.

Kennedy’s house proved a veritable arsenal, hundreds of rounds of ammunition being found m different qosms.

MIND UNHINGED

SEQUEL TO WHITE FEATHERS

IN WAR TIME

(U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Jan. 4, 7.20 p-m) SYDNEY, Jan 4

It is now' stated that Kennedy had been brooding for years over his •rejection during the w r a-r, when lie tried to enlist, and he received many anonymous letters containing white feathers. This imputation of cowardice preyed on him. He went to America” for some yeans, but returned and brooded over his imagined Wrongs until ftis mind was unhinged. . ' Latdr. . Kennedy died in hospital. CONSTABLE ANDREWS’ PARRENTS' SHOCKED SON HAD CABLED SEASON’S .GREETINGS fU-P-Ai. by. Elec. /Tel. Copyright) (Received Jan: 4, 7.10 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 3. Tho parents - of Constable. Andrews are shocked at the-mows of. the fatal (shooting.- The Hast message from Constahlo Andrews .was a .cable convoying the season’s greetings.