SHOT IN FACE

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1936, Page 5

SHOT IN FACE

ARMED BANDITS attack police supt. - .{Australian Press Association) cMELBOURNE, May 24. Superintendent Brophy, who began as Chief of the Victorian Criminal Investigation Branch a week ago, . has been shot' in the face -,hnd ;in the' right arm in some mysterious manner. The Police Department are exceedingly reticent. , It is reported that: four shots were fired by gangsters from a car, one bullet striking Supt. Brophy’s cheek, f and another his right arm, while a third hit him in the back of the neck, and a fourth over the heart, but was deflected by something in his. pocket. He is not in a serious /condity ion. ' The Police Press Bureau, in an offi-' cial statement, declared Supt. Brophy was accidentally shot in the right arm while handling his own pistol at the Pouce Headquarters. ' . Newspaper reporters, who have been banned at the Detective Office, were able, however, to ascertain that Supt. Brophy ;was phqs); by a up” gang, and * that! the , gang- '; mistook him for a prominent bookmaker, who habitually , carries; a large sum of money and resides in the suburb of Parkville. .. /v \ SHOT BY TWO ARMED; MEN. ’ (Reoeived this day at .10.15 a.m.) MELBOURNE, May 25, An official .police .statement , declares Brophy went to Royal Park t-on Frxday night to try to ditch car. bandits who were operating in that locality, and. was himself held up by i;wo armed men, who, apparent^.recognised him. : They fired three shots Before . Brophy , could, manipulate his own revolver, which .jammed: One ■ ; bullet ~ passed through Brophy’s lower- jaw and just missed a vital; artery, - emerging at .the baek of his . neck. Another brokehis wright; wrist, while a third •'was deflected from his’ heart by;• a braces buckle* . ’ i~ . ! . . .