During the melee, Heney broke away from Handy and had taken a pistol from his coat pocket. Handy tried to take the weapon from Heney and, during the ensuing struggle, the gun discharged into Handy's abdomen. Well-known doctor George Goodfellow attempted to save Handy, but he died hours later. Immediately following the shooting, Heney surrendered to authorities. Bail was set at $6,000, which three friends promptly paid. On September 26, a hearing was held. Cameron, among others, testified that Handy had repeatedly threatened to kill Heney. Witnesses testified that on more than one occasion, as the lawyer walked along the street, Handy had intentionally attempted to run Heney over with his buggy. The court determined that Heney had acted in self-defense and he was exonerated.