The Nome Nugget

Gunman, Sought in 16-Day Manhunt, Captured in Gun Fight After Holdup

NEW YORK. (P)--George Larned, a gunman sought for days in one of Long Island's greatest manhunts, was shot down and critically wounded by two officers in a running gun fight today after he staged a $93 cafe holdup in Manhattan.

The desperate fugitive, who had been shot in the back in an exchange of fire with Long Island police 16 days ago, was felled by bullets which apparently paralyzed him from the waist down and fractured ribs.

"Please put one (bullet) thru my head and end it all," the 32-year-old desperado begged officers as he lay in a gutter.

Nevertheless, the officers said, Larned still tried several times to grab their guns.

Even after he had been brought down in the street by the first shot to hit him, officers said, Larned struggled to his feet but was brought down again by another bullet.

Larned was hit in the back by a police bullet July 10 when he fought a gun duel with police after being surprised in a house burglary at Baldwin on Long Island.

He had been sought over a wide area since then.

So far as is known he had no medical treatment for the wound.

Posses of hundreds of heavily armed state troopers, local police, sheriffs,' deputies and district attorney's men had combed the countryside of Suffolk County on Long Island for the wounded gunman. Bloodhounds were used, but they lost the scent.