The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1890-10-24 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

SHOCKING TRAGEDY AT CARDIFF.  A MAN AND WIFE SHOT.  DEATH OF THE WOMAN.  ARREST OF THE MURDERER.  Early oa Tuesday morning a terrible crime was committed in a house in Christina-street, Cardiff, occupied by a private boarding-house keeper, named Antoni Roderick, who has a family of six children. A sailor, named David Harsant, a native of Norfolk, had been lodging with them for between four and six months. On his return home on Monday night, a few minutes before twelve, he was accused of certain improper conduct. Harsant immediately drew a revolver, and fired three shots in rapid succession. One of the bullets apparently missed, but the second bullet entered the body of Mrs Roderick close under the heart, while a third penetrated Mr Roderick's groin. The injured man and woman at once rushed into the street, which Mrs Roderick crossed, and fell on the pavement upon the opposite side, where she lay insensible until picked up by neighbours. Mr Roderick, who was not injured in quite so vital a part, had just strength enough to run to the house of a man in Sophia-street, about 40 yards away. Bursting open the door, he cried, "Gill, I'm shot," and fainted. Meanwhile, the other lodgers in Mr Roderick's house had been alarmed, and they rushed downstairs, at the foot of which they were confronted by Harsant, who threatened to serve them the same if they came further. One of them, however, named Jones, leapt down several stairs, grappled with Harsant, and pushed him away from the entrance to the kitchea, on entering which Jones could at firBt see nothing for the smoke of the gunpowder. Searching, licm ever, he found the room was empty, and he followed Harsant into the street, there to see Mrs Roderick lying in a dying state. Dr Rees was at once sent for, but he saw there was no hope for the poor woman, and she died in less than an hour. The husband lay in Mr Gill's house with a bullet in his groin, and almost at the same moment as his wife breathed her last he was taken in a cab to the infirmary. The murderer meanwhile seems to have hovered about the scene of the crime for some few minutes after the shots had been fired, though by this time the streets were in an uproar. Before he had time to clear off, however, Police-constable Davies arrived on the scene. Harsant, directly he saw the constable, made off. The constable gave chase, and Harsant doubled up a hackway. Being closely pressed, he endeavoured to scale a wall. Not succeeding, he turned and attempted to resist, Davies, however, grappled with him, overcame him, and succeeded in placing the handcuffs upon his wrists. He was then placed in a cab and conveyed to the station. When arrested, he had the revolver still in his possession, and had reloaded the discharged chambers, all six being full. Mrs Roderick was about 33 years of age, and her husband is about 35. David Harsant was taken before the Cardiff magistrates on Tuesday, charged with the murder of Mrs Roderick and the attempted murder of Antoni Roderick, her husband, and evidence in support of the charge having been given, the prisoner was remanded. The inquest on the body of Mrs Roderick was held in the afternoon in the Town•hall, and resulted in a verdict of wilful murder against Harsant, with a rider complimenting Constable Davies for the gallant manner in which he effected the murderer's arrest. Mr Roderick is expected to recover, but is at present in a very critical state.