Evening star., 1952-12-23
| Dead, IA Hurt
AsServiiceman
Bombs Tavern
Fleeing Marine Shot
By Police After BIost
In New York Bur
BY the Associated Press

In New York Bur
BY the Associated Press
NEW YORK, Dec. 23.-A young
Marine sergeant, accompanied by
a sailor and an airman, discharged
phosphorus grenade in a crowd
ed tavern early today, touching
off a sequence of events which led
to his death and injuries to IA
other persons.
The explosion blew out windows
of the tavern.
Police blamed bigotry for the
action, which occurred in Man.
hattan's Harlem area, populated
largely by Negroes and Puerto
RicanS.
Thirteen of those injured were
In the tavern-crowded with Puer-
to Ricans-at the time the gre
made was exploded.
Marine Fatally Wounded.
A few minutes later-after a
nine-block chase-a policeman
shot and fatally wounded the Ma
rine, identified as James Eugene
McDermott, 10. McDermott died
in hospital.
Police said the marine pulled
the pin of the grenade and rolled
it like bowling ball into the
Royal Flush Tavern and shouted:
III SHOW these Spies some
thing"
("Spic is a derogatory term
sometimes used to describe
Spanish-Americans.)
Shot Through Head.
McDermott then fled and the
police gave chase.
Nine blocks away Patrolman
Vincent Beckels shot McDermott
through the head after McDer-
mott turned and knitted him, po-
lice said.
Police apprehended both of Nc
Dermott's companions. They said
Mark Sutter. 19, who was on holi-
day leave from Wolters Air Force
Base, Texas, surrendered during
the chase. Patrick Shanahan, 10,
the sailor, escaped, went to a
church to pray, and later sur
rendered.
All three servicemen lived here
on Amsterdam avenue.
Most of those hurt in the ex-
plosion were released from hospi-
tails after treatment for cuts and
burns.
Narcotics Agent in Hospital.
Still held in hospital was John
H. Orth. so, narcotics agent who
reputedly had trailed a narcotics
suspect into the bar at Columbus
avenue and 103d street shortly be-
fore the blast. Also injured was
John Dahill, Is, policeman who
had gone to the tavern when his
suspicious were aroused by the
three servicemen.
Police said McDermott and Suit
ter were in civilian clothes and
that Shanahan was wearing his
Navy uniform.
Shanahan. after fleeing police,
went to his father, Cornelius, and
told him McDermott had been
shot and that he himself was in
trouble.
The father took the boy to Holy
Cross Roman Catholic Church to
pray, and said he told the youth
he was going to notify police.
Walks Into Police Station.
He telephoned them, but when
they arrived at the church the
youth had gone. A short time
later he walked into a police sta
tion and said, Il hear you have
been looking for me-"
The father, just leaving the po-
lice station at the time, said to
his son:
I'm glad they got you. Why
didn't you wait at the church?'
The young sailor made no reply
McDermott had been charged
with arson and felonious assault
shortly before he died in a hos
pital.
Sutter and Shanahan later were
booked on charges of acting in
concert with McDermott in arson
and felonious assault. Navy au-
thorities went to the police sta
ton to question Shanahan.
Looking for a Fight"
Detective 1t. John Thompson
quoted Sutter and Shanahan as
saying the trio had been drinking
in several bars and I'VE were
looking for a fight"
He quoted them as saying they
thought the grenade would cause
a little confusion and ruckus."
1t. Thompson said Sutter tolo
him McDermott had brought two
bombs" from Camp Lejeune
N. c.. one a flare and the othe1
a white PHOSPHORUS incendiary
used in war practice.
To question of why did yol
do it?" Sutter replied:
Il didn't do it; McDermott did
We were only with him. We wert
half shot"
Police said Sutter and Shana
han knew McDermott had tht
bombs" with him when they al
Set out fnuether af ahnllt R.2l