Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-08
CoIored Man Damages Truck,
Returns Hour Later and
Opens Fire on Group.
CAPTURED IN BED ROOM
OF BROTHERS. QUARTERS
Salvation Army Employe Operated
On, but Condition Said to
Be Serious.

Climaxing traffic argument between
an enraged coIoreo man and several
Salvation Army truck drivers, William
Taylor, SO years Old bystander, was
shot and seriously wounded on the
steps of the charity organizations head
quarters, at 102 B street, last night.
The assailant. Robert E Turner, COL
ored, 80 years old, of 130 B street, was
arrested few moments later by De-
tective Sergt. Lawrence 4. O'Dea and
two park policemen when found hiding
in the basement of the Vlntosa Apart
ments, where his brother is janitor.
Physicians at Casualty Hospital,
where Taylor is being treated for an
abdominal wound, reported the mans
condition, at first said to be critical.
had improved slightly today following
an operation and his chances for recov-
cry are fair"
Held for Investigation.
The colored man is being held at the
first precinct station on a technical
charge of investigation, pending the
outcome Of Taylors injury.
The shooting occurred shortly after
$50 o'clock, an hour after Turner
drove touring car through an alley
at the rear of the Salvation Armys
headquarters and found his path blocked
by truck which Frank Sanders,
driver for the Salvation Army was
backing into a garage.
Turner police were told, shouted at
Sanders to let his pass and was told
he, could get by as soon as Sanders
put the van in the garage. Infatuated,
the colored man threw his car into
gear and forced the auto through a
narrow opening between the truck and
fence, crushing fender on the We
hicle operated by Sanders. He then
sped away without stopping.
Takes Tag Numbers.
Capt A. B. Silva of the Salvation
Army, who took the tag numbers of
the car as it raced from the alley, was
eating dinner about an hour later when
Turner walked up to a group of wagon
drivers on the front steps and asked:
Where is the man in charge of your
trucks?"
w. L. Breedon, one of the chaufeurs,
told the colored man that Capt. Silva
was upstairs eating supper and would
be down shortly.
We'll, he better eat good one be-
cause I've got something for him in my
pocket the colored man replied
Several of the drivers, who had heard
about the argument in the alley from
Sanders tried to pacify the colored man.
who was walking up and down nervously
with his right hand damned into the
pocket Of his coat.
Turner, however. paid no attention
to them and suddenly drew a Is
caliber revolver and fired point blank
at Taylor, who was standing on the
steps but had taken no part in the
proceedings, according to the story told
police.
Found in Bed Room.
Still carrying his gun. the man then
fled toward First street and ran into
the apartment house, making his way
to the janitorS quarters. where he en-
tered the bed room and locked the door.
Detective Bureau Cruiser No. 2. which
was nearby when a radio alarm was
broadcast. sped to the scene and took
Taylor to Casualty Hospital Sergt.
O'Dea, in charge of the cruiser crew,
and Capt. Patrick j. Carroll and Sergt.
L. G. Purtlebaugh of the park police,
who happened upon the scene, went to
the apartment house and began q
search for the colored man.
The three policemen were about to
abandon their hunt when Purtlebaugh
came upon the locked bed room door.
They forced open the door and found
Turner hiding beneath the bed. His
revolver was found in a nearby closet.
Salvation Army officials said Taylor
came to the Capital from Florida about
three months ago and was given a Job
as wagon driver. His only relative is a
brother, Joseph Taylor of Florence,
N. j., according to police