COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ATTACKED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2082, 17 May 1907, Page 4

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ATTACKED.

DEATH STRUGGLE IN WEST AUSTRALIA.

Shortly after noon on 23rd April those in the Perth Police Court heard the report of revolver shots, and a couple of seconds later a police officer 'mode the startling announcement that a sensational occurrence, which might have been a tragedy, had just taken place in the room of the Commissioner of Police (Captain Fred Hare) upstairs. ' “The commissioner’s shot,” was the exclamation. “By whom?” was tlio query from a scoro

' of porsons, and tho answer was, “By ox-Corporal Tyler.”

Whon tho police magistrate, Mr. A. S. Roo, hoard tho name ho exclaimed that Tylor should not have boon allowed to remain at large so long. Those who know Cojrporal Tylor interpreted tho magistrate’s words to moan that Tylor was not well balanced montally. In a fow moments help was •coming to Captain llaro from all quarters of tlio building. Thoso to first ontor tlio room woro astonished to find tlioir chief ongagod in a fiorco struggle with oxCorporal Tylor. Tho fact that tho room was filled with smoke, and that a bulldog .380 dulibro rovolvor was lying on tho floor, soomed to show that an attempt had boon mndo on the commissioner's life. Tho assailant was soon ovorpoworod by him, and was quickly placed under arrest, charged with wounding with intent to murder, and was lodged in tlio cell downstairs.

Tho prisonor was in a hysterical frnmo of mind, and as tho door ol tho coll closod lioliind him ho shouted out several times,“He's no iriond ol inino.”

Superintendent Lawronco, whoso room is opposito to that where tho shooting took place, states that tho rovolvor was discharged twico in quick succession. “Tylor was in my room ono momont,” said Superintendent Lawronco, “and tlio noxt lio was in tho commissioner's room firing.” That ho did not wait a second to parley witli his intended victim is clour from Captain Haro’s statement. Ho says ho was sitting at his office desk reading a report, whon Tyler ontored, and said in oxcitod tones, “You . I have got you this

time.” Tho words woro accompanied by a snap of tho trigger, and involunartily tho commissioner hold up the report ho was reading as soon as ho noticed tho man’s threatening attitude, and tlio bullet went through tho shoots, and lodged in tho architrave of tho window at the back. As soon as his assailant found that his first attonipt was abortive ho took fresh aim at almost point-blank range, but fortunatoly tho commissioner by this time was in tho act of grappling with his unwelcome visitor, and tho second shot was fired while tho two were struggling. Tho commissioner had on a lieavily-stnrched shirt, and as tho bullet struck tho front a glancing blow it riclioetted along without penetrating. Tho left shoulder of his undershirt provided some rosistanco to tho bullet, and, while tho skin was not broken a lump tlio size of a turkey’s egg was raised. There was another slight wound at the root of tlio commissioner's left thumb, and this wes evidently inflicted by tho same bullet as that which narrowly missed penetrating his body. Captain Hare’s face bore evidence of tho shortness of Tyler’s rango. It was freely powder-marked, and a slight disfigurement will probably bo lifelong. Although somewhat unnerved by his experience, ho was able to proceed to his homo at Cottesloo by liimsolf.

Tyler made no attempt after his arrest to repudiate tho charge, nor did ho oxpross regret at his action. He, howovor, seemed to labor under some grievance about his retirement from tho police force a couple of years ago, and is alleged to have stated once or twico in tho coll, “Now I’lll get my case before the court.” Tyler lias made many attempts to get his case ro-oponed, and has written letters to the Premier and Commissioner Haro on the subject. Ho left the force two years ago. Thoso who know ox-Corporal Tyler stated that he has worried foarfully over his retirement, and they fear that this has unhinged his mind.