SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4410, 27 October 1934, Page 1

SHOCKING TRAGEDY.

HUSBAND SHOT DEAD.

ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE

A trim house at Roseville, a well-to-do suburb of Sydney, was the scene of a shocking tragedy, when Eric Walter Stevens, aged 35, was accidentally shot by his wife as he sat reading a newspaper at the breakfast table.

■Husband and Avife had their backs to each other at the time of the tragedy and it Avas by a cruel trick of fate that the buljet, accidentally discharged- from the rifle, struck Mr Stevens in the back of the head.

According to the story told to the police Mi- Stevens had borroAved the rifle from! a friend a fortnight previously. At breakfast he asked his wife to remove it from a press, so that he could return it to its OAvner.

Mrs Stevens rose at the conclusion of the meal and Avalked to a press in the breakfast room. Hei husband Avas sitting at the table, and as she Avithdreiv the rifle from its position a charge exploded. Neither kneAV that the firearm Avas loaded. The Avife Avas holding the Aveapon by the barrel, and had raised it only a foot at the time. She had a narrow escape from death herself, the bullet apparently passing’between her half-raised arm and her body, to lodge in the base of her husband’s skull. He crashed to the floor Aidthout a moan.

All's Stevens screamed loudly for help, and her child rushed to the kitchen. It Avas found by a doctor that the bullet had penetrated the skull, travelled part of the way around the head and injured the brain.

Efforts to save Mi- Stevens’ life were made at the home, and then he Avas hurried to a hospital, Avhere he died shortly after admittance. Mi’s 'Stevens Avas in a state of collapse, and had also to receive medical attention. She Avent to the hospital in the ambulance Avith her husband. She ivas in such a condition that at first she was unable to tell Avhat had happened, but later she made a statement to the police. The police report that the occurrence A\ r as entirely accidental, probably due to a faulty trigger or a defect in the hammer.