SYDNEY SENSATION

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1931, Page 5

SYDNEY SENSATION

TWO POLICEMEN KILLED, BY BROODING MANIAC. (Australian Press Association) SYDNEY, January 3. 1 I here was a sensational happening this morning at Bondi Junction, Sydney. A man named Kennedy, known as “Waver ley .Bill,”-.entered a shop where he purchased goods. He ilI used, however, to pay for them. The shop attendant therefore called in Constable Allen. I pon the policeman’s entry, Kennedy drew a revolver and shot him dead.

Then Kennedy hurried out and made for his home.

A second policeman, Constable Andrews, jumped irom a passing tram, and gave chase. Upon Andrews reaching Kennedy’s home, Kennedy attacked him with a knife, inflicting stabs which proved fatal.

Shortly after this a third policeman, Constable Johnston, went to Kennedy’s place, and, in an altercation with him, the policeman shot Kennedy, who is now in the hospital in a. dying condition.

The police seized a great quantity of ammunition in Kennedy’s rooms.

STORY OF TRAGEDIES,

SYDNEY, January 4,

The man responsible for yesterday afternoon’s slaying of two policemen, at Bondi Junction is John Thomas Kennedy, n powerfully-built, wild-looking man. Ho had been terrorising the shop-keepers in the Oxford Street neighbourhood for some weeks, by walking in and demanding goods and declining to pay for them,- saying:' “I do not pay for these, I am a Communist,”

Kenendy struggled like a- maniac in the ambulance, the house wherehe lived in Lawson Street disclosed a miniature rifle range, showing signs of much practice. Kennedy lias terrified residents in the street by walk, ing up and down brandishing a rifle and behaving eccentrically. It appears that Kennedy entered Mick Simmons’s shop and demanded tobacco and cigarettes. He appeared grimly determined with Ills eves glaring and he clasped a small repeating rifle., The manager of the house duly gathered some goods, made up a parcel and gave- it to the man who then walked out. /On being recalled and asked to pay, he refused, putting the parcel hack' on the counter and declaring. “You have got an order on me for these!”

The manager denied this suggestion whereupon, Kennedy said: “All right, I will have this shop shut up, and you will have to face the firing squad.” He then walked out.

Constable Allen was then called and he was told what happened, and he went out saying, “All right, I will look him up!” Allen followed Kennedy, whom he picked up one hundred -yards away, walking carelessly, along the footpath, and aiming his rifle at the terrified passers-by. The constable accosted the manaio, who turned, and on seeing thes man in uniform, he placed the gun against his chest and fired, Allen fell, and then Constable Andrews was given a revolver.by ft bus man, who saw the slaying, and Andrews followed Kennedy along with others, to his house. There Andrews made his way in, hut Kennedy, who had barricaded himself in, opened fire, at least one shot taking effect. Not satisfied with that, however, Kennedy rushed at the fallen man, and inflicted fearful wounds on him with a bowie knife.

A crowd then gathered and Constable Johnston, of Waverley. a crack shot, stepped in towards the house, hut only to be met by a fusilndo which however, unharmed him or several civilians who went to his support. Constable Johnston got in sight of the maniac as lie sprang to make a fresh attack on his heseigers, and he was evidently the quicker on tho draw, as Kennedy fell shot in the body.

Kennedy’s house proved to he a veritable arsenal, hundreds of rounds of ammunition being found in different rooms.

WHY HE WENT INSANE

SYDNEY', January 4

It is now stated that Kennedy had been brooding for years over bis rojeeion during tbe war, when he tried to enlist. He received many anonymous letters containing white feathers. This imputation of cowardice preyed on his mind. He went to America some years ago, hut he returned and brooded over his imagined wrongs until his mind became unhinged.

BLOW TO VICTIM’S PARENTS

LONDON, January 3

The parents of Constable Andrews of,Sydney, were, shocked at tbe news of his fatal shooting. Their last message from Constable Andrews was a cable conveying the season’ greetings.

(Received this dnv at 8 a m.) SYDNEY, January 4 Kennedy died in the hospital.