Joseph M. Ivener, 49, florist, saved Henry C. Cameron, 35, letter carrier, and an indeterminate person or persons from a homicidal attack, Los Angeles, California, November 7, 1952. While Cameron was standing in a parking lot near a crowded intersection, a mentally deranged man carrying an automatic pistol approached on foot and suddenly fired five shots at the driver of an automobile stopped at a traffic light, instantly killing him. Crossing a street to the edge of the parking lot, the man fired six times in rapid succession at Cameron but failed to hit him. Cameron dropped to the ground and attempted to take cover behind a parked sedan. Reloading the gun, the man circled the sedan and advanced to within 15 feet of Cameron. Numerous other motorists and pedestrians heard the shots, and many sought safety in nearby buildings. Ivener left his shop at a corner of the intersection and ran 70 feet toward the parking lot, waving his arms and shouting in an effort to distract the assailant. The man turned and fired twice at Ivener as Cameron ran to safety. Ivener was followed across the intersection by the man and ran through the shop to the rear door and thence outside. He continued through a vacant lot to an adjoining street in an attempt to gain cover behind a nearby wall but stumbled and fell prone as he reached the far curb. From the opposite side of the street, the assailant fired six times at Ivener, who was struck by two of the bullets and sustained wounds of the back and ankle. Bleeding profusely, he crawled behind an automobile and shielded himself from the man, who fired two additional shots and then dropped the gun and walked away. Unaware that the man had discarded the gun and fearing he might kill or wound others, Ivener entered a truck and drove in search of the assailant, finally locating him four blocks away. With Ivener’s assistance, the man was apprehended by police and was committed to a mental institution. Ivener’s wounds healed. 3857-42729
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