Evening star., 1932-09-28
William (. Atkinson Held for
Mental Test After Fir.
ing at Passengers.
DEMANDS THAT DRIVER
CHANGE ROUTE FOR HIM
Officer Herds Several Bystanders
Into Cab, Then Opens
Fire on Them.

Policeman William E. Atkinson, ninth
precinct, was under mental observation
today In the psychopathic ward at Gal
linger Hospital following his action last
night in firing six shots at bystanders
after an unsuccessful attempt to COM
mandeer w. r. & E. bus for a ride
to Georgetown.
Police Surgeon John A. Reed, who
was summoned after Atkinson had
been overpowered by third precinct
officers, said the policeman was suf-
fering from an acute mental disorder
and it may take a week or 10 days of
close observation to diagnose his case.
Atkinson. whose home is in Falls
Church, Va, served 18 months over
seas with the 329th Aero Squadron
of the Air Service and was honorably
discharged December l6. 1918.
Says He Drew Revolver.
Boarding the bus at Nineteenth street
and Pennsylvania avenue, Atkinson. in
uniform but off duty ordered the driver,
Russell Inley, 27, OF Edmonston avenue,
Bladensburg Md, to drive to George
town." according to the police report.
Inley said he told the policeman he
was not going to Georgetown. but to
Woodbridge. Whereupon, he said, Atkin-
son drew his revolver and commanded
that Inley drive to Georgetown.
You'll have to arrest me-" Inley said
he replied; I'm not going to do what
you say"
Atkinson then ordered the driver out
of his bus and into a taxicab, parked
nearby, Inley told police. When the cab
lr;yor ouyic Mortol 70 mo frOr1 a 1l1nch
room, he too was ordered to get In the
taxi.
Loads Cab to Capacity.
Apparently determined to load the
cab to its capacity, Atkinson next forced
three of the bus passengers to enter the
/ cab, still brandishing his gun. They
were Frank Murphy 1000 block Colum-
bia road Frederick J. McElween. 1900
block Fourteenth street, and Benny
Lutz, 1900 block Belmont road.
The policeman then commanded Mar
tel, the cab driver, to hand over the keys
to the taxi. When the driver refused
Atkinson fired bullet through the rear
the cab scrambled out. except Murphy.
As Martel fed down Pennsylvania
avenue. Atkinson fired three shots at
| him. turned and shot twice more at
! the other occupants. according to the
police report. Murphy, still huddled in
| the cab, was the next object OF At
kinson's ire. His gun empty, the po-
! iceman reversed his grip on it and
, struck at Murphy with the butt, in
| turing the mans hand.
Carload Of Police Arrives.
Murphy was saved from possible fur
ther injury by the arrival of carload
of policemen from the third precinct,
summoned by the calls of excited wit
nesses. The officers subdued Atkinson
and took him to Gallinger Hospital
where DR.. Reed made preliminary
| examination and ordered him held Tor
observation.
A complete report was turned over
! to Inspector L. I. H. Edwards, Police
Department executive officer by In
spector T. r. Bean, commander of the
| first district The report showed Atkin-
son had been on sick leave from Sep
TENDER ~ until yesterday, when he
/ worked from 8 am. to 4 pm.
DR.. Reed said the man told him he
| could not remember thing" from
| the time he went of duty. He had
not been drinking. the police surgeon
| reported, but was a victim of mental
affliction which might have resulted
| from his war service.