SHOOTING FATALITY IN A PLAYGROUND.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2116, 30 January 1886, Page 2 (Supplement)

SHOOTING FATALITY IN A PLAYGROUND.

At West Ham police court, in November, William Slado, aged nine, described as a schoolboy, of 32, Denmark Terrace, East Ham, was charged with causing the death of William Henry Leach, aged nine, by shooting him in the left side of the head with a loaded revolver in the playground of St. Andrew's schools, Barking-road, Finistow, on the 19th inst. Sidney Rayfield, a lad of about 10, said that on Thursday he was at St. Andrew's schools at about halfpast one o'clock. He saw the prisoner there in the playground with the revolver produced, and two or three cartridges. He loaded the revolver with one cartridge, and then turned the revolver round, so that the cartridge should not go off. He then pointed it to his own mouth, and turned the cartridge round. He then "played about " with it, and having pulled the trigger four or five times, suddenly it exploded, the effect being that William Henry Loach, who was standing near, was struck on the left side of the head. Leach staggered and fell. Witness then ran to the ichool and told the teacher, but did not go back to the playground after, because he was frightened. Evidence was given by an assistant master that the ]ad was conveyed to Poplar Hospital, where he expired. The prisoner told the inspector that the revolver went off by accident. The accused was remanded, and handed over to his father. At the inquest a verdict of " Death from misadventure " was returned.