Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-24
HELD FOR GRAND JURY
LAD ACCUSED OF SHOOTING WILL
LIAM FANTRoY.
Evidence Heard Today by Coroner
Jury and the Conclusion-Boy
Under Bond

Henry Sherr. the twelve-year-old boy who
shot and instantly killed William L. FAINT
roy, colored, in his fathers store, at 51S
New Jersey avenue northwest, yesterday
afternoon. as stated In yesterdays Star,
Will have to remain under bond until his
case is finally disposed of. the jury I'M
paneled by Coroner hewitt this morning
having held him for the action of the grand
jury. The boy was present at the hearing,
which was held at the morgue. His father
and other relatives were also in attendance,
and he was represented by Attorney Maui
rice Rosenberg. The youthful defendant
stood the ordeal we'll, and his story was
told in an impressive manner. His claim
was that the shot was accidentally fired.
and that he did not know the weapon was
loaded. 1t developed that there were two
empty chambers in the weapon, and that
the boy had looked into one of them when
he was advised that he had better not
handle the weapon.
John Richardson, the colored employe of
Mr.. Sherr who did his best to shield the
boy yesterday, was the chief witness In
the case. He told his story of the affair.
relating the incidents substantially as re-
lated by the young defendant Upon con-
clusion of the testimony the jurors spent
reached the conclusion that the case should
be investigated by the grand jury. Assist
ant United States Attorney Proctor APP
peared in the case as the representative OF
the government. As soon as the verdict had
been reported Mr.. Sherr and Attorney
Rosenberg hurried away to see about ar
ranging bail for the boy.
The Testimony Heard
Policeman Sergt Samuel Murphy OF the
Wit
ined The first he knew of the shooting
he said. was when a man employed In
Holmes bakery ran to the station and
said that one colored man had shot an
other colOred man at SIS New Jersey ave-
nue. Witness hurried to the store with
Precinct Detective Vermillion and started
an investigation.
Mr. Sherr, said witness, gave me to
understand that John Richardson. his col
ored employe. had done the shooting"
Witness said that Vermilion went with
Mr.. Sherr to his home on l street and re-
turned a few minutes later with Mr.. Sherr
and the boy. Young Sherr he told the
jury said he was not in the store when
the shot was fired; that he was running
from the building when he heard the re-
port of the pistol shot. The colored boy,
John Richardson, the witness stated told
him that Fantroy had shot himself Later
the colored boy said that Henry Sherr had
fired the shot and the latter, he said. then
admitted the truth of the colored boy S
statement
Did you find a bottle or a knife on the
foor?' inquired Attorney Proctor
Il saw nothing of a bottle there" the
witness responded. but Detective Vermil-
lion found a knife"
Witness said that when he reached the
store he found the body OF Fantroy lying
upon the floor with the arms outstretched.
There was bullet wound In his forehead
Precinct Detective VermiIlion stated to
the jury that he assisted In the tnvestiga-
ton or the case, going to the store with
Sergeant Murphy. An open knife. he said
was picked up by Mr.. Bryan and turned
over to witness. Witness told of the differ
ent statements made by Richardson and
Sherr. and of the final admission of them.
How far from the body was the knife
foundY'' asked Mr. Proctor
1T was found near the door" he said.
Fand 1t belongs to Richardson"
1t was stated by the boy said witness.
that Fantroy had bottle in one hand and
an open knife in the other when the shot
fred.
Was bottle found on the aoor?" the
witness was asked.
Not that know Of" was his answer
witness said that Fantroy and the Sherr
boy had some words when Fantroy had his
hand in the cake box. This was after they
had had words about cigarette.
John Richardson a Witness.
John Richardson. colored. who was first
suspected OF having fired the shot. testified
that the photograph shown him was an
exact representation of the scene in the
store after the shooting had occurred He
testified that when Fantroy entered the
store he asked for a cigarette, saying the
proprietor owned him one on account of a
purchase he had made two days ago After
the cigarette question had been disposed OF.
he said. Fantroy helped himself to some
cakes that were in box. Sherr told him
to put the cakes down and he put some
of them back into the box, but ate the
others.
Henry told me to watch Fantroy, as he
might steal some Of the cakes" said
witness.
Witness said Fantroy then picked up a
knife belonging to witness. He said he
had Just eaten an orange and had left the
open knife on a box. Fantroy. the wit
ness stated. put down the knife and then
went behind the counter and took the re-
volver from the drawer.
Richardson told him that that was Henry's
revolver and advised him to put it down.
He handed the weapon TO Henry and picked
up bottle of soda. Fantroy asked the boy
IL he would give him leave to throw the
bottle at him while Henry had the bottle in
his hand
II told Henry to stop foolng with the re-
volver." said witness. He had pulled the
trigger back and the second time he did 50
the shot was fired"
WAS he aiming the revolver at Fantroy?'
the witness was asked.
1T was pointed at him"
Witness said he warned Henry not to fool
with the revolver because 1t was loaded,
saying he had seen the bullets In 1t. Rich
ardson said he fell upon the floor when the
shot was fired.
why did you fall?' he was asked
Because / thought had been shot" was
the response.
Witness said he was speechless for q
| short time. When he had crawled from
the store he met a man and asked him to
mind the store until he returned. The man
| said he would and witness went to the home
| OF Mr.. Sherr and told him OF the shooting
What became of Henry?"
| Il don't know"
Henry Sherr's Statement
Henry Sherr. the boy who fired the shot,
made statement OF the affair claiming IA L.