Webster Groves, Missouri, September 29, 2025
News Summary
On December 12, a Swedish immigrant named Gustafson Lindén was tragically shot while riding on a freight train in Webster Groves, Missouri. The young shooter, 14-year-old Crockett Bingham Goerner, fired a .22 rifle, striking Lindén in the neck. Despite immediate medical attention, Lindén succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital. The incident led to Goerner’s arrest and subsequent charges of criminal carelessness. Lindén’s untimely death left a significant impact on the community, sparking efforts to reach his family in Sweden.
Webster Groves – A tragic incident unfolded on December 12, 1934, when Gustafson Lindén, a 28-year-old Swedish immigrant, was shot and killed while riding on a freight train in Webster Groves, Missouri. Lindén was among six job-seekers traveling atop a tank car when a bullet fired from a .22 rifle struck him in the neck.
The shooter, Crockett Bingham Goerner, just 14 years old at the time, fired the rifle near 1041 N. Bompart Ave., close to the Missouri Pacific train tracks. Eyewitness accounts, including testimony from James Spencer, another transient who had spoken with Lindén moments before the gunshot, indicated that Goerner may have been shooting at the train, although conflicting reports in local newspapers suggested he could have been targeting different objects instead.
Emergency responders rushed Lindén to the hospital after the shooting, but he bled to death during the transport, approximately 20 minutes later. Following the incident, Goerner was arrested and briefly released the next day after his family posted a $5,000 bond.
A Coroner’s Jury convened and charged Goerner with “criminal carelessness” on December 13, 1934. Lindén’s funeral services were held on January 31, 1935, and he was laid to rest in an unmarked grave in St. Paul’s Churchyard, with burial costs covered by the St. Louis Swedish community.
Before his untimely death, Lindén had worked various jobs across the United States, including positions in New York, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Chicago. He was living with a Swedish family in Denver at the time of the shooting. A letter informing his family of his tragic death was sent by Fritz Peterson, the head of the family Lindén was staying with. The St. Louis community quickly mobilized to locate Lindén’s relatives in Sweden after the incident.
Following the shooting, Goerner served three years of probation. He graduated from Webster Groves High School in 1939 and later participated in World War II. Tragically, he was killed in action just six weeks before the war ended in 1945.
A sorrowful coincidence occurred in May of 1973 when another man was shot and killed on a freight train in the same vicinity where Lindén met his end.
Key Facts
- Victim: Gustafson Lindén, a Swedish immigrant.
- Date of Incident: December 12, 1934.
- Age: 28 years old.
- Location: Near 1041 N. Bompart Ave., Webster Groves, Missouri.
- Shooter: 14-year-old Crockett Bingham Goerner.
- Weapon Used: .22 rifle.
- Injury: Shot in the neck.
- Immediate Aftermath: Died while being transported to a hospital.
- Legal Outcome: Charged with “criminal carelessness.”
- Burial: Unmarked grave in St. Paul’s Churchyard, paid by St. Louis Swedish community.
- Subsequent Life of Shooter: Served probation, graduated high school, served in WWII, killed in action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Gustafson Lindén?
Gustafson Lindén was shot and killed on December 12, 1934, while riding on a freight train in Webster Groves, Missouri.
Who shot Gustafson Lindén?
The shooter was 14-year-old Crockett Bingham Goerner.
What was the cause of death?
Gustafson Lindén died after being shot in the neck.
What legal consequences did Goerner face?
Goerner was charged with “criminal carelessness” by a Coroner’s Jury.
Where is Gustafson Lindén buried?
Gustafson Lindén was buried in an unmarked grave in St. Paul’s Churchyard, 7600 S. Rock Hill Road, paid for by the St. Louis Swedish community.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim’s Name | Gustafson Lindén |
| Date of Incident | December 12, 1934 |
| Age of Victim | 28 years |
| Location of Incident | Webster Groves, Missouri |
| Shooter’s Name | Crockett Bingham Goerner |
| Weapon Used | .22 rifle |
| Circumstances | Shot in the neck while riding a freight train |
| Legal Charge | Criminal carelessness |
| Final Resting Place | Unmarked grave in St. Paul’s Churchyard |
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Additional Resources
- Webster Kirkwood Times: Tragedy on the Rails
- Wikipedia: Train accidents in the United States
- Webster Kirkwood Times: Community Remembers Linden
- Google Search: Gustafson Lindén Webster Groves shooting
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Gustafson Linden
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