Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-20
Police Are Compelled
to I hOOt Alleged
Law Breaker
Victim StrugglesAgainst
Arrest and Draws
Revolver
Chief FIammer Believes Officers Were
Justified in Their Drastic Action,
but Will Investigate
the Case

Desperately struggling with two
policemen who were attempting to
handcuff him, John Vusich was shot i'll
the head and instantly killed by PATROL
man l.. j. Ammon. The shooting oc-
CURED about 1:3O o'clock yesterday af-
ternoCn at Vusich's restaurant, 652 San
Fernando street, where the victim Is
alleged to also conduct blind pig"
1t was through an effort to arrest
him on a charge of selling liquor IL
legally and his resistance that he was
shot.
Patrolmen j.. j. Ammon and w. C.
Purcell were detailed yesterday to learn
if Vusich really did sell liquor at his
restaurant.
After eating in the main room used
strictly as restaurant, and with no
liquor served, the patrolmen, who were
in plain clothes, motioned the pro-
prietor to come to their table, and
slyly told him they wanted drink.
Winks were exchanged, and Vusich
led the plain clothes men to a secret
compartment constructed in the CEN
trail part of the lower floor, between
the restaurant and the rear with living
rooms in front. This secret room was
so narrow that there appeared to be
nothing between the restaurant and the
living rooms except the partition. The
doors leading to the secret room from
directly opposite on both sides Of the
partitions, and they and the walls were
painted the same color to give the
impression that only one door separ-
ated the restaurant and the living
apartments These doors were kept
locked and the secret compartment
could only be, entered through a. side
door reached by a private hallway.
Officers Buy Drinks
In this secret room regular bar
was stationed against the wall, while
beer kegs and bottles were strewn
about the floor and the regular outfit
of q saloon was on the bar and side
boards Several tables were also in the
room, and the patrolmen were seated at
one of these.
A waiter, whom the patrolmen say
was called Verona, an Italian served
them with whisky and wine, while the
proprietor stood by taking no part in
serving the men. They decided that in
order to make their case secure against
the proprietor it would be necessary to
induce him to personally serve them
with drinks.
They fingered about the place after
drinking the liquor served them by the
waiter and becoming confidential with
the proprietor they succeeded in get
ting him to give them another round
of drinks.
Instantly the patrolmen pulled their
pistols and showing their stars and told
Vusich he was under arrest.
'-Oh, don't arrest me, fellows"
pleaded Vusich; Pm a good sort"
Offers Money
The patrolmen refused to listen to
him, when he drew out 500 gold piece
and offered IL to them IL they would
release him. They dissented, however,
and Vusich reached behind him and
suddenly pointed huge pistol at the
patrolmen.
BY quick grasp of Vusich's arm
above the wrist Patrolman Purcell
wrested the gun from the proprietor's
hold and sent 1t flying across the ROOM
Both patrolmen jumped on Vusich
and attempted to handcuff him. He
was powerfully built man, and too
muscular for the patrolmen to control
With one mighty straining of his big
body he threw his adversaries from
him. A revolver droped from the pocket
of one of the patrolmen and he
grabbed it eagerly.
Drop that gun or I'll blow your
brains out" yelled Patrolman Ammon.
Vusich saw his predicament and stood
his ground.
We'll fire and be damned" returned
the Slav defiantly and the report of the
officers pistol followed instantly Vu-
sich reeled backward and died almost
without groan.
Friends Threaten Officers
After the man had been killed the
room became crowded with Italians
Slavs and Mexicans. The courage of
the two patrolmen was tested, for
among that crowd a mans life was
worth no more than a candle. Surly
faces frowned on the patrolmen, and
threatening words buzzed from mouth
to mouth.
1t was mutually agreed between the
patrolmen that Purcell should remain
beside the body while Ammon left the
room to notify the central station. Ann
mon had to force his way through the
throng. and when he left the crowd
turned on the lone officer viciously,
some reproaching him with drawn fists
and grim faces
Don't you scoundrels move step
further on peril of your livesl" chal-
lenged Purcell, The mob held back,
snarling like whipped dogs while the
patrolman stood over them for the
longest ten minutes of his life, cover
ing them constantly with his gun.
When the police patrol arrived with
relntOfcementS the crowd was ullNen
off and Vusich's body was taken TO the
receiving hospital, and from there TO
Bresee Bros morgue. An inquest viii
be held upon II tomorrow
Chief of Police Paul Flammer said
that he considered the killing of Yu-
sich was justihable from the informa-
tion of the incident he had received. An
investigation Is being made as to the
exact cause and details OF the occur
renee. Both OF the patrolmen who
were present at the Killing OF Yusieh