Knox Fail (1905 - 1943), a saw mill worker, was killed by police officers in Birmingham, Alabama. Involved were J. E. McDonald, J. A. Hale, and H. P. Williams and Private Peter Paul Szntiar, Jr. Police claimed that officer McDonald was attempting to arrest Fail on a complaint by a white woman that Fail had entered a white women’s restroom. Fail allegedly opened fire, hitting McDonald. The officer handed his gun to Private Szntiar, a bystander, who then shot Fail. Shortly after, officers Hale and Williams arrived at the scene and also fired shots at the victim. Fail died in a hospital shortly after arrival. A coroner returned a finding of justifiable homicide.

Knox Fail

Omer Bently

[given name unknown] Cousins

James Albert Hale Jr.

J. E. McDonald

Peter Paul Szintiar Jr.

H. P. Williams