Suspect bites off portion of LAPD sergeant's finger at East Hollywood Metro station
Police said the suspect had "narcotic paraphernalia" and became violent after officers tried escorting him off the train.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A Los Angeles sergeant lost a portion of his finger when a suspect bit his hand during an attack on the Metro Red Line in East Hollywood.
It happened around 10:15 a.m. Thursday while the officer was patrolling the station.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, officers saw the suspect on the train with "narcotic paraphernalia."
Officers approached the suspect and escorted him off. Police said that's when the suspect became violent and began fighting with the officers.
During the incident, a portion of the sergeant's finger was bitten off. He was later taken to the hospital for treatment, though his condition is unknown.
The suspect, who was not identified, was taken into custody and was arrested for mayhem, and resisting. He suffered minor injuries and was also sent to a nearby hospital.
These violent encounters on Metro trains aren't unheard of.
"I got mugged twice," said Jorge Martinez of Norwalk. "It's something that happens, what can you do? For the officer, I feel bad for him, but also just for the people who had to watch it. The people who had to watch it, I'm sure was pretty intense to see something like that."
Riders who spoke with ABC7 on Thursday night say they're always aware.
"I keep pepper spray on me," said Treasure Cockrell. "I've even seen and heard people acting out in certain ways that made me feel unsafe."
Thursday's incident is one of several this month. On April 6, two stabbings - both on the Red Line - occurred hours apart.
One attack happened on the platform of the East Hollywood station and the other happened at the Westlake-MacArthur Park Station. Less than a week later, a fatal stabbing occurred on the Metro Blue Line in Long Beach.
However, Cockrell said things have gotten better in the past two weeks.
"I went on my way to go to school, I got on the train and I felt safe," she said. "It was clear, there was no problems. There was no weed smoke, nobody talking loud. I felt good."
Meanwhile, LAPD Chief Michel Moore called Thursday's attack "vicious and gruesome."
"I'm deeply disturbed by the vicious and gruesome attack on our Sergeant as he and other officers were simply conducting routine patrol of the transit line," said LAPD Chief Michel Moore in a statement. "We remain committed to our work each day to improve the safety of the entire transit system with dedicated patrols engaging those who pose a risk to the safety of others."
