Youth Fatally Shot

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 172, 24 July 1939, Page 6

Youth Fatally Shot

TRAGEDY IN AMUSEMENT PARLOUR Per Press Association. WANGANUI, July 23. Struck iu tho light breast by a liflo bullet discharged from a gun iu au amusement parlour in Victoria Avenue on Saturday, Eric Charles Hawkins, aged 144 years, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Hawkins, 76 Keith Street, Wanganui, expired while being rushed to the public hospital iu the St. John free ambulance a few minutes after noon ou Saturday. Tho youth, with a companion aged 16 years, was in the amusement parlour, the proprietor of which was absent at the time. A .22 calibre Winchester rifle was being handled by Hawkins’ companion, who pressed the trigger. The bullet struck Hawkins in the fleshy part of the right hand, which was raised to his chest, and then entered tho right breast. First-aid measures were applied by Air. William Ramsay, of Aramoho, who had been waiting to catch a tram and was called when several youths hurried out of the amusement parlour with the announcement that a boy had been shot. Hawkins was unconscious when placed iu the ambulanco and when the hospital was reached Dr. H. W. Cook could only pronounce life extinct. Au inquest was opened ou Saturday afternoon before Mr. E. 8. AI. Dixon, Coroner, and was adjourned till Thursday.