Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-08
Physicians Give Fraser, Stay
er of CoIored AssaiIant,
Chance for Recovery.
VICTIMS WIFE is HIT
AS BULLET GOES WILD
ARRAY Seen as Move by Slain Man
to Retaliate for Previous
Arrest.

Aitnough the elght-inch dirk knife
welded yesterday afternoon by a COL
ored man, who was later shot and killed
by Policeman Robert j. Fraser of the
sixth precinct, passed half through the
officers left lung and grazed the outer
tissues Of his heart, he is expected to
recover, barring complications. accord
ing to the report of attending physicians
at Emergency Hospital today.
The dead man is Richard L. Hall, SO.
who lived in rear of 331 Missouri
avenue. Coroner j. Ramsay hewitt said
TINS morning a corners jury will be
sworn in over the body tomorrow, but
the inquest probably will be deferred
until Fraser is able to testify. Halls 49,
year-old wife, Rosie, is at Casualty
Hospital under police guard with a
bullet from Frasers gun through her
left leg. She admitted to investigators
To-Day that the policeman did not in
tend to shoot her.
Attack Seen as Retaliation.
Police believe that the attack on
fraser was in retaliation for Halls ar
rest last week for permitting gaming
and the arrest Of two friends yesterday
a lew minutes before the ARRAY. which
TOOK place behind Halls home.
according to Headquarters Detective
Wnilam MeSseP' who investigated the
circumstances OF the fight, Hall was
heard by colored witnesses. Tuesday
night, plotting to kill Fraser. He is said
10 have demonstrated to a friend how
ne would strike the policeman with the
KNIFE. The friend was to assist by
throwing I've in Fraser's face.
Yesterday about / o'clock in the
AFTERNOON, as he was patrolling his
peat, Fraser found crap game in
progress In an areaway in the rear of
Hairs home. He seized two of the play
ers, took them to the patrol box. sum-
moned the police wagon and sent them
to the precinct, where they were booked
as William Wright colored, of 125 Sec
ond street. and Andrew Colbert, colored.
OF 1913 Missouri avenue. They were
charged with disorderly conduct.
Returning to the scene of the arrest,
Fraser met Hall, who is said to have
cursed him when the officer inquired
as to the identity of the other players.
Nov don't cause any trouble, and go
on back in your house." Fraser said he
replied.
Hall was then in the doorway. He
turned, as if to obey, then wheeled and
Slashed the policeman across the temple
with his knife, which he carried in a
sheath under his left armpit. Before
Fraser could move he had struck again,
burying the weapon in his left breast.
The blade entered the upper chest and
tore downward to the heart.
Shooting Is Held Justified.
As Hall sprang backward, Fraser drew
his revolver and fired three times. One
shot struck the colored man above the
heart, another entered his side and the
third missed him and hit his wife.
standing in the hall behind him. Hall
threw the knife into the front room
and then collapsed. Fraser attempted
to retrieve the weapon as evidence, but.
weakened by his wounds, sank into a
chair in the yard. Halls wife stag
gered into the front room and sat in
chair.
Attracted by the sound of the shots.
Jonn M. Hale, OF 335 Missouri avenue,
went to FraSer'S assistance. Under the
policeman's directions he first secured
the knife and then went to summon the
police reserves. Thomas Mack, colored.
VINO lives in rear of 325 Missouri ave-
nue., arrived a few minutes later and
was told to summon the ambulance
ana then bring the policeman on the
adjoining beat to the house. Hall and
MS wife Were taken to Casualty Hos
pital and Fraser to Emergency. Hall
died less than two hours later.
inspector Albert j. Headley went to
the hospital and Fraser told him his
story. The inspector said that the
shooting was fully justified. Mai. Henry
G.. Pratt said that it was a meritorious
act. Fraser had been at the hospital
less than an hour when George Wen
and George Lee, leaders of the On
Leong Chinese Merchants Association,
arrived with flowers. Fraser is held in
esteem by the residents of Washington's
Chinese settlement and among his fell
low officers is known as the mayor of
Chinatown"