MAN SHOT DOWN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22223, 25 September 1935, Page 16

MAN SHOT DOWN

SYDNEY SENSATION MANY WITNESS CRIME ONLOOKERS REFUSE TO SPEAK Sensat*onal street shooting occurred in Sydney on the night of September 9. when Leo Gaffney, aged 24, was shot down at a busy intersection in Red fern. His assailant fired three times, and each time the bullet struck Gaffney. The wounded man staggered into a hairdresser's shop, where he collapsed. He was aftejwards taken to Sydney Hospital. Dozens of people were in the vicinity at the time, and the police have good reason to believe that a number of them witnessed the shooting. It has been stated that the criminal responsible for firing the shots has terrorised the neighbourhood, and no one has dared to tell the detectives what happened. Constable Bodel was at Redfern police station when the telephone rang and a man said, "Hurry down to Walker Street. A man has been shot." He then rang off. Constable Bodel found Gaffney lying on the floor of B. Roberts' hairdressing shop. He was bleeding profusely, but rough attempts had been made to ease his pain by placing him on pillows. A great crowd had gathered round the shop, blocking the footpath. Many of the men and women knew Gaffney, but they disclaimed all knowledge of the shooting. Doctors at Sydney Hospital found that bullets had struck Gaffney twice in the abdomen and once in the left thigh. Two of the bullets had passed through him, but one was lodged in his body. They had apparently been fired with a .32 calibre revolver. Detectives questioned Gaffney, who said that he did not know who had I shot him. and that he could not rej member the details of the shooting. I He added that the attack had been | made as he was about to enter the I hairdresser's shop for a shave. The police believe that a man surI prised Gaffney, fired three shots in rapid succession from a revolver, and then made his escape down a* sidestreet. The whole affair probably occurred within a minute or two. The police have been handicapped in their investigations by the silence of witnesses. Several people, who could probably throw much light on the subject have been interviewed, but they told detectives that all they knew of the matter was hearsay. It is not thought that information gained from Gaffney will give much assistance.