Arizona republican., 1920-12-29
SHOOTS YOUNG
 MAN TO OAVENGE
 ALLEGED WRONG DONE DAUGHTER
James Nelson Of Buckeye Mortally Wounded, Fath- CT Also Shot, By Ava Gray, Who Holds Former Responsible For Critical Condition Of Girl Of 20

To avenge an alleged wrong to his daughter Ava Gray of Miami yester- day morning on the streets of Phoenix shot James Nelson, 23 years old, of Buckeye. The young man died at St, Joseph's hospital three hours later.
 In an attempt to protect his son from the attack, Erasmus Nelson, also of Buckeye, stepped in front of him. The first shot struck the elder Nelson in the fleshy part of the leg. The second shot struck the young mans arm and passed through his body.
 The shooting took place at II o'clock at the southeast corner of First avenue and Washington street and was wit messed by a number of people. The Nelsons, father and son, were standing near the curb at that corner. in con- yersation. when Gray, who first was noticed near the door of the Citrus Fruits and Produce company a few feet away, approached, revolver in hand. and without a word opened fire.
 The first shot struck the elder Nel- son. who had stepped in front of his son to shield him. The second shot struck the son in the upper part of the left arm, glanced off the bone and the bullet entered the left side of the body about four inches below the shoulder passing entirely through the body.
 Asks to Be Arrested
 James Nelson. the son, dropped to the pavement, mortally wounded. Gray tken turned to the nearest spectator and asked to be taken to the sheriffs office. The citizen replied he was not an officer. An acquaintance of Gray then approached and Gray made the same request. But Gus Anderson, desk sergeant at the sheriff's office. had heard the shooting and hurried to the scene. He conducted Gray to the court house, where he was placed in the county jail.
 James Nelson was carried into the fruit store at the corner while an ann bulance was summoned. Both the fla ther and son were taken to St. Josephs hospital in the same ambulance. The fathers injury is not believed to be serious.
 No charge will be filed against Gray until after the coroner's inquest which will be held at o'clock this afternoon l by Coroner Wheeler.
 According to the story told to the officers and others by Gray. the shoot ing of James Nelson was because of an alleged wrong to his daughter Ruby Gray, 20 years Of age. The daughter is at St. Joseph's hospital in a very critical condition having become a mother prematurely.
 Tells Why He Fired Fatal Shot ! After his arrival at the sheriffs of l flee, Gray made a statement to the of fieers concerning the shooting. He ap- peared to be calm. He said he came to ] Phoenix from Miami on Christmas night and after witnessing the suffer ] ing of his daughter, he decided to see l young Nelson. whom he declared was sponsible for her condition At the sight of him, he said, and having de- ciGee he had no recourse to law, he shot him.
 To representative of The Republi- can Gray told the story in which he l implicated James Nelson, declaring that through his attentions and having lgained her confidence and through a promise of marriage, the latter be- trayed Gray's daughter.
 According to Judge Carl A. Davis, assistant county attorney. who has
 been Investigating the case. Ruby Gray came from Miami several months age, to visit her sister, Mrs. Lee White, in Buckeye. There she met yourS Nelson, who is of a prominent family ir that neighborhood, his father being
 a director ili the Buckeye bank. After
 a time, Judge Davis said, the couple
 became engaged and then Ruby went
 homo to visit her parents in Miami
 Letters passed back and forth be-
 tween the couple, and the wedding is . said to have been set for about