"He must have done something. They don't kill you for nothing." - Chicago Gangster Ted Newberry. Rubbed out January 7, 1933

Friday, August 13, 2010

The Great Chase

Eighty-nine years ago today at about 5:15 pm thirty-three year old James Savarino came barreling around the corner of Hester Street and starting running up Christie, knocking down whoever got in his way. A few seconds later another man holding a gun turned the corner. He paused for a moment then catching sight of Savarino began the chase anew.

To the witnesses it appeared that Savarino was going to get away but then a Packard touring sedan turned the corner and proceeded to speed the wrong way up the one way street, dodging the on coming cars. As the Packard reached the gunman he fired off one shot to no effect and then jumped on the running board. Savarino was quickly approaching the next corner when the Packard pulled along side him and, as it continued to weave in an out of traffic, the gunman blasted away at the running man.

The first shot from the car hit a woman in the chest causing what doctors considered to be a fatal injury. Two more innocent bystanders were hit before the final shot caught Savarino in the right breast bringing him down.

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