Defective Head Shot-up by Gangsters

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 122, 25 May 1936, Page 6

Defective Head Shot-up by Gangsters

Mistaken for Melbourne Bookmaker MYSTERY SURROUNDS POLICE SENSATION United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.-—Copyright. Received Sunday, 0.20 p.m. MELBOURNE, May 24. Superintendent John O’Connell Brophy, who began duty as the chief of the Victorian Criminal Investigation branch a week ago, was shot in the face and right arm in some mysterious manor. The police department is exceedingly reticent. It is reported that four shots were fired by a gangster from a car, one bullet striking Brophy’s check, another his right arm, a third tho back of his neck and a fourth over his heart, but the latter was deflected by something in his pocket. lie is not in a serious condition.

The polico press bureau, in an official statement, declared that Supt. Brophy was accidentally shot in the right arm while handling his own pistol at police headquarters. Newspaper reporters who were Panned at the detective office, however, ascertained that he was shot by a hold-up gang who mistook him for a prominent Melbourne bookmaker who habitually carried a large sum of money and resides in Parkville subur 1 -. Recognised by Bandits DETECTIVE’S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE Received Monday, 1.30 a.m. MELBOURNE, May 24, An official police statement declares that Supt. Brophy went to Royal Park on Priday night to try and catch some ear bandits who were operating in that locality. He was himself held up by two armed men who apparently recognised him and fired three shots before Supt. Brophy could manipulate his own revolver, which jammed. One bullet passed through Brophy’s lower jaw, just missed a vital artery, and emerged at the back of bis neck. Another broke his right wrist and a third was deflected from the heart by his braces buckle.

Epidemic of Hold-ups in Sydney MENACE TO TAXI DRIVERS. Received Monday, 1 a.m. SYDNEY, May 2-1. There has been an epidemic of holdups of taxi-drivers m Sydney in recent months and the position is so menacing that drivers are weekiug permission tu carry fire-arms. Two more were robbed last night by armed men, who commandeered their cars and compelled the drivers to ride in the rear scat to lonely parts where they relieved them of money.

The police to.night arrested two men suspected of this class of crime.