SYDNEY TRAGEDY

Southland Times, Issue 19395, 8 November 1924, Page 5

SYDNEY TRAGEDY

ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE. SENSATIONAL SHOOTING AFFAIR. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, November 7. (Received November 7, 9 pan.) A sensational shooting affair occurred at the Northern Rivers Hotel in Sussex Street to-day, when William Kirkwood, employed as a useful hand at the hotel, shot and dangerously wounded Bertha Linger, another employee at the hotel, and then shot himself dead. According to police evidence, Kirkwood was in love with a third employee, Mary Russell. He met her on the landing and attempted to kiss her, at the same time brandishing a revolver. Miss Russell rushed into the room where Miss Linger was and bolted the door. Kirkwood flung himself against the door, partly forced it and fired the revolver through the opening. He then shot himself and fell into the room. The girl Russell managed to escape and brought the landlord and other help. Kirkwood, however, held them at bay threatening to shoot. Suddenly he bolted to his own room and locked the door. When the police entered, they found him dead, shot in the temple.