DRAMATIC SUICIDE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21112, 20 February 1932, Page 11

DRAMATIC SUICIDE.

SHOOTING GALLERY TRAGEDY YOUNG MAN'S STEADY AIM. ANOTHER MAN WOUNDS HIMSELF [from our own correspondent.] SYDNEY, Feb. 11. A suicide and an attempted suicide in a public shooting gallery opening on to the main business thoroughfare—Pitt Street—provided two of Sydney's sensations during tho week-end. In both instances tho same pistol was used and rornarkablo coolness in the presence of others was displayed bv both victims. Lionel Mitchell, whoso injuries were fatal, calmly used tho fatal pistol in target practice beforo be turned tho weapon on himself and took the crowd in the gallery unawares. As ho fired six shots his hand was perfectly steady. After he had fired the first two shots he looked admiringly at the pistol and to those who were watching him ho said : "Isn't it a beauty." The attendant replied that tho pistol was one of the best, and Mitchell said: "Yes, it's a marvel." Mitchell held the weapon in his left hand, but his aim was perfect, and every shot was a bull's eye. All Eyes on the Target. After he had fired six shots ho prepared for tho seventh. By that time his shooting had attracted a great deal of attention and many of those present were discussing whether he would register another possible. While all eyes were strained upon the target, Mitchell, in a flash, turned tho pistol on himself, and beforo anyone realised what was happening a shot rang out and ho fell without a groan, dropping the pistol as he did so. A great crowd gathered immediately, blocking tho traffic, and when the ambulance arrived it was found that the man was dead. Mitchell was only 22 years of age and a keen student. His undo thinks that his mind became unhinged through overstudy, for ho was about to sit for an examination in draughtsmanship. Of la to 110 had been very nervous and sick mentally. Two hours after tho tragedy a girl rang the gallery and asked for a description of tho victim. When this was given to her, slio exclaimed, "My God." and dropped tho receiver. On the following day another young man, Robert Pomeroy, entered the gallery and for more than an hour watched other marksmen firing at the target. Then ho paid for four shots, but his aim was bad. He heard a snigger and turning round ho said: 'Don't laugh at me. I have been drinking this afternoon and I am a bit unsteady." Displaying no sign of his intentions, Pomeroy then left tho gallery and returned ten minutes later. Throwing more money on the counter, 110 said to the attendant: "Give me four more. L will hit something this time." Ifo took aim at tho target, fired two shots, which went wide, and then, with a score of men about him, stepped back and pressed the revolver over his heart. Without hesitating ho fired. He collapsed and lay groaning on the floor until he was removed to hospital. Domestic Unhappiness. "My wife left me," he moaned, when )\o was asked why he had shot himself. In one pocket tho police found a letter to his wife and in another £6. According to tho police, Pomeroy had been married three years. Tho marriage had not been a happy one. Pomeroy was recently discharged from tho Australian Navy with £2OO back pay. He has a daughter aged two. The shooting gallery in which these tragic events took place has been in tho one situation for 28 years. For 25 years nothing happened to bring it notoriety, but in the last three years there have been three suicides and one attempted suicide. It is unfortunate for tho proprietor that these events should have happened in tho midst of a campaign for strict control of all classes of firearms.