Sensational Shooting Affray.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 41, 17 August 1897, Page 2

Sensational Shooting Affray.

GREAT EXCITEMENT. A WOMAN FIRES SIX SHOTS FROM A REVOLVER. DR CHARLTON SHOT. i NARROW ESCAPE OF A HUMBER OF CITIZENS. j ARREST OF THE WOMAN AND HER FATHER.

The monotony of Feilding was relieved yesterday afternoon between half past three and four o'clock, by a young woman named Annie Looney and her father Tfcomas Looney (residents of Waituna) taking possession of tho town for about half an hour.

At the hour named they appeared on the scene and paraded some of tho main streets, vowing vengeance on various persons for imaginary grievances which tho woman believed sbo possessed. For the purpose of redressing them she had armed herself with a revolver and a supply of cartridges. Tbo father accompanied his daughter apparently for the purpose of instructing her maiden band in the art of sharp shootinp.

The young woman appeared to have a particular grievance against one of the bricklayers (a man named Gillies) working on the brick building being erected opposite Manchester Square for Mr J. Darragb, and it was here Shafc she cominencsd operations. She fired at the man in question, and this scattered tbe workmen on the building, who dodged behind bricka and timber to avoid any possibility of being hit. After going around the building and firing two or three more shots, which, fortunately, escaped striking anyone, because one and all displayed wonderful agility iv taking cover behind every possible ob jeefc for protection. One of tbe shots was fired at t carpenter at work ou the building.

Hearing the disturbance, Mr L. E. Reade, whoso office is opposite Mr Darrajjh's buildiug, was about to go into tho street to ascertain tbe cause, but when he put his head outside of his door he was greeted with a shot from tbe revolver, but the ballet went wide of the mnrk and enterrd the woodwork of the build jug. Thus warm reception induced Mr Reade t° beat a hasty retreat,

Tbis rather dangerous procedure soon attracted a large number of persons, who, however, kept at a safe dibtance from the revolver, everyone admitting that tbe would-be homicide should be arrested, bub thoy all waited for " tbe other fellow " to face tbe music. The two Looneys- father and daughter — theu marched up Manchester street to interview a hairdresser. Tho woman here found that her glove interfered with her reloading tbe revolver, and her father assisted her to remove it. Wben opposite Clementson's shop the latter amused herself by discharging her revolver amongst some school children, but did not strike any.

A few yards further along Dr Charltoi came on tbe scene and was about to tackle the woman wben she fired bet revolver, and the doctor received the bullet in tbe side of tbe bead, wbich passed round under the scalp and emerged at tbe back of bis neck. Tbe doctor fell to the ground.

The crowd who were following at a a safe distance, wben they saw the doctor drop, rushed at tbe woman and Mesirs G. Foster and F. Owen were tbe first to seiza her. When she saw the crowd rushing at her, she threw the reyolver away and made an attempt to escape, but only got a few yards.

The father was seized at tbe same time by Messrs Stnnnell and R. F. Haybittle, and a few seconds later Constables Tuohy andHealy placed tbe "bracelets" on both tbe prisoners wbom they re» moved to tbe lockup,

The wound in Dr Cbarlton's bead is about two inches long and the bullet slightly injured the bone Dr Johnston dreised the wound, and Dr Charlton is doing as well as can be expected under tbe circumstances.

It was believed that tbe father was also possessed of a revolver or some other weapon as he had threatened various persons who were going to seize tbe girl, therefore, they thought direretion tbe better part of valour, but this was not the case, as he proved to bt unarmed when searched by tbe police.

The revolver waa purchased at Mr Darrsgh's during yesterday morning by tbe father, but we have been unable to ascertain where the cartridges were procured. One of Messrs Brumwell Bros, employees refused to sell Looney a re volver the same morning, suspecting something was wrong.

The affair caused a great eomaiotion in the streets, which were fall of people at the time, and the wonder is that there was not a number of fatalities to record.

The accused Annie Looney will be charged this afternoon at the conclusion of tbe case against Gillies for alleged rape, with having discharged firearms with intent to kill, and Thomas Loonev with aiding and abetting, but no cvi dence will be beard as it is the intention of tbe police to apply for a remand.

At tbe Police Court, Feilding, tbis morning, before Messrs F. Y. Let b bridge and J. C. Thompson, J.'s.P., Thomas Gillies was charged, on tbe information of Annie Looney, with rape at Feilding on August 7tb. Constable Taoby con ducted the case for tbe prosecution and Mr Reade appeared for the accused.

The informant, Annie Looney, gave lengthy evidence against the accused, and was being cross examined by Mr Reade when we went to press this afternoon. Tbe case was conducted with closed doors, and tbe evidence was unfit for pnbli cation.