New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-28
POLICE PISTOL PRACTICE.

CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS OF THE SHOOTING OF JOHN
SULLIVAN BY OFFICER PANET.
The shooting of John Sullivan, a Young man liv-
ing mt lexington-ave. and Eighty-nnth-st by Off
Ger Anthony j. Panel, was reported III TIE TRIBUNE
Yesterday. \ statement signed by reputable gen.
tleman was sent to The TRIBUNE during the day, in
winch the writer said of the AFFAIR." :" This is the
worst police outrage l have heard Of" a reporter
was therefore sent to investigate the matter.
Michael Sullivan. the father of the wounded man,
who has lived at Lexfhgton-ave. and Eighty-ninth-
ST. for more than twenty-five years said that on
Sunday afternoon last, about twenty minutes
before o'clock his son, John Sullivan, was stand
ing against the window of James Duffy's saloon at
Eighty-elghth-st. and LexingtOn-ave.. not more
than 200 feet from his home He was talking with
John Shay and Henry Gerrty, two young men
living in the immediate neghborhood While stand
ing quietly back from the sidewalk they joined
by Lawrence McGrath, who had not long been with
the party before Officer Panet came down Eighty
eighth-st. from FOurt have, and crossing from the
sOnth side of the street to where the party were
grabbed McGrath roughly, by the neck. be,'dng
his head down so low that his hat fell off
He then seized Sullivan IN similar manner
also causing his hat to fall oft. Sullivan
stopped. picked up his hat and squared off" at the
officer A. If To strike. The officer made motion TO
draw his club aud the party scattered at once, Sui
livan and McGrath running down Lexing-
tou-ave. toward Eighty-scventh-st., and Ger
coming from church, and a crowd collected in an
instant. sullivan had not gone more than twenty
yards before Officer Panet drew his revolver and
fired at hun. As the shot was fired some
one III the crowd at the officers rear
threw stone at him. He wheeled and
fired into the crowd, and then turned and
ran after Sullivan firing third shot at the fugitive
as he turning INTO Eighty -seyenth-st. After
running a short distance sullivan discov-
erred that h., he had been Sn shot in tine aGay
duently taken to the Ninety-ninth Street Hos
ptal. where he is now under arrest charged with ie-
lOnOus assault npOu officer while in the discharge
of his duty. Michael Sullivan further stated that
hls bore GOOD character That he had only been
arrested once before for fight with an acduaint-
auce while quite young and that he can furnish
testimonials of good character from the neighbOrs
William O'Neil, employed IN the Lexington Foun-
dry on Eghty-cightl-st., near FOurth-avc said
that he Witnessed the whole affair, aud told a story
substantially like the of Michael Sullivan.
Michael Coffee, who witnessed tine disturb
ance from his window, coTroborated Sullivan
and ONeil. An agreed that the officer
acted like a man intoxicated. or, as they
expressed IT. " like wild man." They sald also
thai witnesses could Ice found to prove that Panet
just previous to the shooting, had been seen COM
ing out OF a brewery on fourtL-aye. Much indIg-
nation was expressed by persons who called upon
Michael Sullivan Yesterday.
The story of John sullivan differs in no essential
particular FROM the one given by his father. lie
claims that he acting in no dlsOrdcriy manner
and Love the officer occasion for interference.
lie acknowledged that when grabbed roughly by
the ne * his impulse was To stlkc but he prudently
had no idea that the latter would fire at him. or he
could have placed himself out of danger. Shay.
Gernty and Mc,irath. SuilIyan's companions, were
M work yesterday. and could not be found
Captain Roberts, of the Iwenty-tIlird Precinct,
visited ny the reporter and asked Tor the police
version of the shooting. lie said that Off er Panct
had been on the force about year, that he came
from Canada and bore AN excellent reputation.
Ills beat is Lexington-aye. from Seventy-ninth-st
10 Ninety f0urth-st.. and his orders TO keep the
street corners clear. especially on sunday when
people are gong to or coming from church. " One
of the worst places IN the precinct he said is the
corner where Sullivan was shot. A gang of young
rowdles are III the habit OF congregatng there and
insulting people passing by Inc police often have
OCCASION To admoulsh them. and sometimes to arrest
them. Sunday afternoon last officer Panet had
spoken 10 sullivan and his companions hai-a-dozeu
times asking them IN quiet way TO move from the
corner. They refused, and when lie attempted 10
enforce obedience To his order. they separated and
began To- stone him. lie thought lac either had IL
take Hight or TO do as he and Now"
continued Captain Roberts. IL am not IN
favor of drawing revolVers, especially on sunday.
when people coming from Church arc iillmg the