2 paramedics attacked, stabbed while treating patient
DETROIT - Officials say two paramedics are in serious condition after they were stabbed repeatedly while trying to help a woman on Detroit's west side, and the suspect remains on the loose, reports CBS Detroit.
The paramedics, identified as Alfredo Rojas and Kelly Adams, were called early in the morning Tuesday to treat a woman who had an ankle injury when a man who was with the woman became "agitated" and attacked, Fire Commissioner Eric Jones told reporters.
"It was a horrific scene," said Jones. "It was a stabbing and a slashing."
"The male subject was upset at the assessment of the EMTs so as they were treating her -- I can't get inside of his head, I don't know what he was agitated about, but he was upset for some reason -- and at some point during the encounter, he produced this weapon," Jones said.
The suspect first went for the Rojas, who has been working with the department for about two years, according to police. When Adams, a 13-year department veteran, stepped in to help her partner, the suspect turned his attention -- and his weapon -- to her.
Both paramedics were stabbed and slashed repeatedly before making it back to their vehicle. Adams then drove to Detroit Receiving Hospital, where both remain in serious condition.
"It was a horrific scene. The EMS rig, the scene inside of the rig is horrific. Their injuries are horrific," Jones said. "Both of the EMTs are going to require some extensive surgeries. The injuries -- they came to within inches of dying."
The suspect took off running after the attack and is currently being sought by police. His description was not immediately released.