The morning call., 1893-04-29
A MADMAN'S ACT.
jacques Lavigne Shoots a
Man and His Sister.
He Then Sends a Bullet Into His
Brain-No Cause Known for the
MurderouS Deed.

A shooting affray, in which two people
were wounded and the wouId-be murderer
fatally injured. occurred in a laundry at 9lS
Larkin street last night.
The injured are Eugene Cerciat and his
sister, Celine. who were shot by Jacques
Lavigne, who aiterward turned the weapon
against himself and sent bullet through
his brain.
The cause of the shooting is a mystery. as
all those connected with it refuse to talk of
the matter. They assert that Lavigne was
insane at the time.
Law gne is an Itinerant laundryman and
picks up odd jobs about town, and lived in
a lOdgng-hOuse at 1854 Bush street.
Shortly after o'clnck last night he called
upOn the Cerciats, who keep a laundry at
9lS Larkin streets, near Geary. He ap-
peared in good spirits, and invited Eugene
Cerciat and his sister Celne to visit a rest
aurant in the vicinity and dine with him.
They had known Lavigne but short
time, but accepted his invitation, and the
two deported, leaving the youngest sister IN
charge OF the place.
Brother and sister noticed nothing pecu-
liar about Lavigne's behavior. who chatted
gayly. and after the meal the trio took
walk.
1t was about 10 o'clock when they re-
turned to the laundry and the Cerclats in
vited Lavigne to spend an hour with them.
The party talked pleasantly until nearly
II O'clock Miss Celine was reading book
while Eugene Cerciat ana his younger sister
entertained Lavgne
Suddenly Layigne interrupted the con-
versaIion by jumping up from his chair and
drawing revolver.
Without word of warning he pointed the
weapon at Miss Celine, who was reading
near by, and fired.
The young lady fell to the floor apparently
seriously injured, and Eugene, frenZIed by
the shooting. attacked the shooter.
Laylgne was too quick for him and hred
again before he could reach him, wounding
him in the shoulder. and then placed the
still smoking weapon against his forehead
and sent bullet crashing into his head.
The reports Of the shots quickly brought
the police to the scene. The patrol wagon
was sent for and The wounded we're taken
to the Receiving Hospital for treatment.
The surgeon found that the woman had
been shot in the right elbow, inficting a
painful but not serious flesh wound. Eugene
Cerciat was shot in the right shoulder, the
is n OF serious.
Lavgne's wound will cause death. The
bullet penetrated the forehead and lodged
in the brain against the skull.
After their wounds had been dressed they
were placed on cots in the wards. Lavigne
was unconscious from the effects of mis-
wounds.
Both Cerciat and his sister claim not to
know any cause for Layigne's rash act.
The woman asserted that she was but
slightly acquainted with him, and says he
never spoke of love TO her. Lavigne was
always peculiar, she said, and she thought
he was insane at the time.
Eugene, her wounded brother, corroborat-
ed her statement, and could assign no cause
for the deed.
Inquiry at the laundry owned by the
Cerclats at 9lS Larkin street failed TO elicit
any Information.
Anne Celine, ;he younger sister Of the in
1ured couple and who witnessed the shoot
ing, claimed to know no cause for it.
She could talk nothing but French. and
stated that LaVigne acted queerly at times.
To all Inquiries she would reply I'll etait
fOu, meaning that Lavigne was crazy.
The place is neatly furnished and the
Cerclats were evidently doing good bust
ness.
The panes of glass in the front door had
been broken in their struggle TO escape from
Lavlgne'S murderous attack. and the floor
was spattered with blood.
None Of the inmates could tell
whether Lavigne had made any
advances to the wounded woman, and
denied that love OF jealousy had anything
to do with the shooting, and substantiated
the girl's statement.
Lavigue has lived in his present abode for
about one month.
He always appeared well supplied with
funds and paid his rent regularly. During
that time he has not worked.
Shortly after o'clock last night he re-
turned to his room and received letter
which had come for him.
Alter reading the contents lie said he
would go out but return soon, and left the
place, and has not since been seen by the
inmates. Whether the letter had anything
to do with the tragedy is unknown.
At the Receiving Hospital a letter from
his sister. Annette Lavigne, who is domes-
tic in family in this city, was found
1t related to money matters and threw
no light upon the mystery.
Al late hour last night Lavigne was
still uncons ci0us. but restirg easily