John F. Benko

BOY, 15, SLAIN BY BULLET OUT OF PAL'S RIFLE Shot Accidentally While They Hunt Groundhogs.

Fifteen-year-old John Benko, 4 of Mrs. Leo Davis, 310 South tam street, was fatally wounded late Wednesday afternoon when his companion, with whom he had been shooting groundhogs, accidentally fired a shot from a 22 caliber rifle while loading the gun. The bullet went into the abdomen on the right side. The accident occurred near the watchman's tower on the Grand Trunk Western railway tracks, about one-half mile south of West Sample street in the 3900 block.

The boy died of internal hemorrhages while in the city ambulance on the way to Epworth hospital. The rifle when fired was in the hands of Robert P. Kuzmic, 15, of 1529 South Nash street. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew M. Kuzmic. In a. signed statement Robert! told police he and the Benko boy had been playing together since early in the afternoon. He said they got his gun, which he had owned for two years, and went out by the railroad tracks to shoot groundhogs.

They had fired about nine shots, he said, when the accident occurred. Robert declared he started to reload the gun when he heard a report and "I heard John groan. I ran for the watchman but after the watchman came I didn't hear an him groan any more." Robert was booked for investigation and then released by Deputy Coroner Samuel Grillo to his father.

John Benko born in South Bend July 21, 1923, and lived all his life here. Surviving are his mother and stepfather, Mr. and Mrs. Leo J. Davis; a brother, Carl Benko, at home, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Balogh, South Bend

Sources: Ancestry.com and Newspapers.com

09/28/2024 EJS