Case Number: 10135
Hagberg, Herbert � Age 32 � Patrolman � Deceased, Patrolman John L. Conley, and a citizen, John Chorazek, were shot to death at 2:10 PM, 5/31/29, in passageway of 2431 Thomas St., with a shotgun, by Ferdinand Preuss, who, drink crazed, ran amuck and shot at everyone on sight. The officers were sent to the Thomas St. address to investigate a reported shooting and as they peered into the darkened flat Preuss fired thru the window with his pump shotgun. Patrolman Jos. J. Murphy, the last of the squad and two other citizens were also dangerously wounded. Preuss escaped and the next day was found a suicide on the W&NW R.R. tracks in front of 4245 Kinzie St., decapitated by a railroad train. 30 Dist.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | May 31, 1929 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | May 31, 1929 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 2431 Thomas St. |
| Type of Location | Street, or other non-commercial public place/alley |
| Type of Public Place | Street, sidewalk or alley |
| Location Description | in a passageway at 2431 Thomas St. |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Intentional manslaughter |
| Characteristics | defendant ran amuck killed everyone in sight and c |
| Method of Killing | Shotgun |
| Weapon | shot to death |
| Motive | drunk, crazed; ran a muck |
| Victim Initiated Events Leading to Homicide | Yes |
| Description | Other |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Excessive Violence | Multiple victims |
| Location | in a passageway at 2431 Thomas St. |
| Related to Organized Crime |
Victim
| Name | Hagberg, Herbert |
|---|---|
| Age | 32 years |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| VictimEmploymentType | Employed, professional (incl. police and military) |
| Ethnicity | Jewish |
| Occupation/ Skill | Other, professional |
Defendant
| Name | Prauss, Ferdinand |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | English-Anglo |
| Race | White |
Police
| Precinct | 30 |
|---|---|
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Defendant Identified at Scene | No |
| Victim Employed by Law Enforcement | Patrolman on duty, on street, beat |
Legal
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
|---|
