Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-29
POLICEMAN KILLS
K. c. ALEXANDER
CoIored Man Victim Of Trag-
edy, Alleged Result of
Bootleg Liquor.

Karey Charles Alexander, colored,
thirty-eight years old, was shot and
killed by Policeman H. E. Brodie
shortly after 1880 o'clock last night
The shooting occurred in Seaton
court, in the vicinity of I'd and
streets northwest. Bootleg liquor
was undoubtedly the cause Of this
tragedy, as it is of nearly all the
disorder Washington now experiences.
Alexander had in his possession a
loaded revolver, weapon that Is
about as easy to procure as is the
liquor. He had shot at Edith Hail
stock, colored, and when approached
by Policeman Brodie he took shot
at that officer.
Officer Hears Pistol Shot.
Oficer Brodie was standing at 4th
and l streets shortly after lo:so
o'clock when his attention was at
tracted by the report of pistol shot.
Hurrying in the direction from which
the sound came. Brodie reached the
entrance to Seaton court and saw
Alexander walking in front of several
houses with something in his hand
that resembled a pistol. Satisfied
he was armed, the policeman ap-
preached the man, whose mutterings
were suggestive of trouble. and said:
I'm a policeman; hold that gun
down."
Quickly turning toward the police
man, Alexander fired one shot. the bull
let narrowly missing him. The latter
who had his weapon drawn ready Tor
an emergency, fired one shot, the bull
let taking effect in Alexander's abdo-
men and inflicting wound that with
in a few minutes caused death from
internal hemorrhage.
Alexander Tries Flight.
As soon as Alexander received the
wound he turned, his revolver Still
held firmly in his hand. and ran from
Seaton court to I'd street. turning
south and then going east on HI street
to New Jersey avenue. Policeman
Brodie went in pursuit and remained
so close to him that he came near
stumbling over the body OF Alexander
when the latter fell to the sidewalk.
Lieut.. A. w. Brown, in charge OF
the night force in the sixth precinct.
hurried to the scene of the shooting
with several members of his command
and made an investigation OF the nap
penings in Seaton court last nignt.
a plumbers helper, resided with ms
wife at 1926 New Jersey avenue. Wit
nesses told the police that NUMBER
of persons in the court partook Freely
of liquor, Alexander being one of the
number.
It was stated that Alexander left
one house to go to another and that
his friends objected to his gong
Edith Hailstock of Union court, was
one of the directors, it was stated,
and because of the protest she regist-
cred, the police were told, Alexander
fred a shot at her. Following this,
witnesses told the police. Alexander
paced the court in front of the houses
where he had been a visitor and de-
clared: I'LL get some - this night.
It was while he was indulglng In
the threat that Policeman Brodie
reached the court. Then the shots
were exchanged and the Seaton court
party suddenly ended. Alexanders
body was taken to Casualty Hospital
and cared for until it was removed
to the city morgue this morning.
Investigation Handicapped.
Lieut.. Brown said the police were
handicapped in their investigation of
the shooting because some of the
principal witnesses were under the
influence of liquor. There were but
few discrepancies in their statements
ing, however, and their statements
were reduced to writing.
Edith Hailstock was found at her
home early this morning and ques-
toned by the police. She related the
story of her visit to Seaton court last
night and told of what happened, and
the police summoned her to appear
as witness at an inquest that will be
held at the morgue late today.