Gerald Kenneth Adler, BHS 1958

Gerald Kenneth Adler, BHS 1958

Published in the Burbank Daily Review, June 25, 1958

FRIEND QUIZZED BY AUTHORITIES

Eighteen-year-old Jerry Adler lay dying at St. Joseph Hospital today with pieces of a .38 caliber bullet still lodged in his brain. The youth, critically wounded in a playful "Old West" gun battle yesterday, had not regained consciousness. And 16-year-old Paul Whitton, whose shot pierced Adler's head between the right eye and bridge of his nose, was in custody at juvenile hall,

Police say the accident occurred while Adler and Whitton, childhood friends, were engaged in a mock "quick draw" contest at Whitton's 1068 E. Verdugo Ave. home shortly before 1:30 p.m. yesterday.

Young Whitton told detectives that he and Adler had decided upon the fast-draw contest from a belt position. Whitton's weapon , a .38 Spanish replica of the Smith and Wesson revolver, and Adler's gun, a .45 caliber single-action pistol, were part of a collection by Whitton's father. Whitton told police Adler said, "I'm taking you in Ringo!" after which both of the youths drew their weapons and "dry-fired" several times. But an unfired .38 caliber bullet moved closer into firing position with each snap until being discharged. Whitton then called police, who found young Adler gasping for breath and bleeding profusely from the wound.

The victim's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Adler of 644 Groton Drive, maintained a constant vigil at the hospital. Young Whitton's mother, who arrived at home while police were questioning the youth, was near collapse. Whitton will remain in juvenile hall pending a preliminary hearing.

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Burbank Daily Review, Thursday, June 26, 1958

TEENAGE SHOOTING VICTIM DIES, PAL FACES CHARGES

'"QUICK - DRAW", ENDS IN DEATH

Death came to 18-year-old Jerry Adler at 9:47 last night, 32 hours after a mock "quick-draw" contest in which a .38 caliber bullet crashed through his head.

Physicians at St. Joseph Hospital indicated  today they were "amazed" that young Adler had lived more than a few hours after the shooting. Adler's companion, 16-year-old Paul Whitton, remained in juvenile hall today awaiting a pre-detention hearing tomorrow.

It was Whitton's shot that struck young Adler between the right eye and the bridge of his nose in a playful "fast-draw" contest at Whitton's 1068 E. Verdugo Ave. home Tuesday.

Police say the accidental shooting occurred when Whitton and Adler, standing 11 feet apart, drew for their weapons, both items in a collection by Whitton's father, then "dry-fired." An unexploded cartridge in Whitton's gun moved into firing position until being discharged. The bullet went through Adler's head and lodged in a wall behind him.

Juvenile authorities indicated today that the original charge of attack with a deadly weapon may now be changed to involuntary manslaughter. Funeral arrangements are pending at Eckerman Funeral Home in Burbank.

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Published in the Burbank Daily Review, June 27, 1958

Gerald Adler Services Will Be Sunday

Services for Gerald Kenneth Adler, 18, of 644 E. Groton, will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow in First Methodist Church. Mr. Adler died Wednesday night in a Burbank hospital.

He leaves his parents Mr. Paul W. Adler and Mrs. Theodora Buckles Adler; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William J. Adler and Mrs. Myrtle Buckles, all of Burbank, and two sisters, Loretta P. Penwarden, of Granada Hills, and Valerie Adler of Burbank.

He had been affiliated with Burbank YMCA activities and was a member of First Methodist Church.

The Rev. Randall C. Phillips, pastor of the church, will officiate at the funeral service, Stewart Hamlin will be soloist. Interment will be in Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. Eckerman Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.