A gruesome scene unfolded at the West Covina Home Depot in Los Angeles, California, Wednesday as an unidentified man walked into the store, grabbed handsaws from the shelves and started sawing his arms off in front of shocked employees and customers, reports the Los Angeles Times. Here’s what you need to know about the disturbing incident.
1. The Happened at the West Covina Home Depot
The man walked into the West Covina Home Depot located on Azusa Avenue on Wednesday shortly before 1 p.m.
2. The Man Sawed His Arms Down to the Bone in Front of Employees and Customers
The man went unnoticed until he went to the store’s saw section and grabbed several saws, including one meant to cut sheet rock, and started using them to cut into his arms.
“It was pretty graphic,” Cpl. Rudy Lopez said. “He just began sawing away. He was pretty much intent on doing what he did.”
Shocked employees and customers called 911 as the man cut all the way down to the bone. When officers arrived they found the man lying unconscious in a pool of blood. The man, who looked to be in his 40s, was not carrying any identification so police do not know his name.
3. An Off-Duty Paramedic Tied Makeshift Tourniquets On His Arms
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that an off-duty paramedic was shopping nearby and sprung into action. With the help of police, he gathered twine and rags for makeshift tourniquets to stop the heavy bleeding. Lopez says the actions of the paramedic may have saved the man’s life.
4. He Was Taken to Queen of the Valley Hospital
The man was taken to the Queen of the Valley Hospital where he was rushed into surgery.
5. His Current Condition is Unknown
