Evening star., 1937-04-12
PROBERSPUzzLED
IN BURNS KILLING
Accident or Suicide Is Cues.
tion as Police Probe
Shooting.

In the strange fascination firearms
held for Byrne T. Burns, brilliant ls-
year-old pre-medical student-a fasci-
nation that gripped him in childhood
and grew stronger every year-homi-
eide squad detectives today sought an
explanation of his death with a bullet
through the forehead.
The youths body was found yester-
day by his father, DR.. William P.
Burns, prominent diagnostician, on the
floor of locked bath room in their
palatial home at 3100 'Elncott street.
At his side was 38-caliber revolver,
a World War trophy from his large
collection of firearms.
1T must have been an accident
it couldn't have been anything else, "
said Noel F. Rosasco, vice president of
Rudolph e. West Co. a close friend of
the Burns family. "Byrne had every
thing to live for-everything boy
could desire"
Last Seen Alive Saturday.
Byrne was last seen alive by his
father Saturday night. Before leaving
to visit friends, DR., Burns chatted
with his son, who seemed in excellent
spirits, Rosasco said
"Byrne told his father he had a
grade of SO in zoology and lsughingly
remarked, They'll have to make
grades higher than "A" for me to
shoot at Rosasco said.
Yesterday morning a maid told DR.
Burns his sons bed had not been
slept in, and when he investigated he
found the door of the private bath ad-
Joining the bed room locked. Crash
ing in the door, DR.. Burns found his
sons nude body
In the bed room were a .22-caliber
rife, cleaning rod and a can of gun
Oil, The death gun had been newly
cleaned and oiled.
Mrs. Persia Burns. mother of the
youth. was aboard the S, S. California,
returning from cruise to Cuba and a
radlogram notified her that ne only
son had been seriously injured" She
arrived here by plane this afternoon,
unaware that her son was dead.
Although precocious student,
friends of the family said Byrne was a
regular boy" He played foot ball at
Western High School and won a let
ter, he was runner-up in the golf
championship at Congressional Coun-
try Club last year and had won
numerous honors in swimming meets.
Had No Worries.
The youth drove his own smart
convertible coupe, was well supplied
with pocket money and had no wor-
rles, RoSaSco said. He accompanied
his mother to New York when she
sailed last week and stayed to see
number of new shows. He had
already purchased his ticket for the
opening base ball game.
Scholastic difficulties were unknown
to the youth, his family pointed out.
He completed his courses in Junior
and senior high school in three and
one-half years and was a member of
Phi Beta Rho, honor fraternity at
Western, He would have completed
his medical course at George
Washington University, where he was
an honor student and a member of
Phi Eta Sigma, honor fraternity. this
Spring. His application for admission
to medical school next Fail already
had been accepted. Last year he re-
celved congratulations from the Ma
tional Honor Physics Society for his
scholastic attainments.
Byrne's interest in firearms dates
back several years Rosasco said. and
recently became almost passion.
The youth was an expert marksman
and his parents had shooting gal
lery built In the basement of their
home for him.
Keeps Guns SpotlesS.
I've known him to use a thousand
rounds of ammunition in one after
noon on the range at Congressional
Country Club" Rosasco explained.
Byrne loved his guns and always
kept them spotless. His father be-
lieves he WAS preparing to clean the
revolver when it accidentally ex-
ploded.
DR.. Burns was prostrated with grief
over the death.
Ironically, the family had planned
a party for tomorrow to celebrate the
return of Mrs. Burns and DR.. Burns
birthday.