New Orleans, LA – A 34-year-old man has been taken into custody in Louisiana after allegedly severing his 70-year-old mother’s arm with a chainsaw and subsequently injuring two police officers. John Pittman now faces charges of aggravated battery by cutting and resisting arrest, according to records reviewed by Law&Crime.
On July 22, officers from the New Orleans Police Department responded to a call in the 1200 block of Riviera Avenue regarding an elderly woman who had been attacked with a chainsaw. Upon arriving at the scene, the officers discovered the woman with what appeared to be a severed arm, as stated by NOPD spokesperson Reese Harper in a news briefing posted by WDSU. The victim was immediately taken to a local hospital, where she remains in critical condition as of Monday.
Following a description of the suspect, the officers proceeded to a different location in the Gentilly neighborhood. There, they encountered Pittman and attempted to apprehend him. However, Pittman violently resisted, leaving two officers with mild to moderate injuries. Both officers received medical treatment at a local hospital and have since been released. Pittman was eventually subdued and placed under arrest after officers deployed a stun gun.
Reportedly, Pittman sustained multiple abrasions and lost a tooth during the apprehension. The police were seen exiting the residence with the chainsaw used in the attack, which was collected as evidence. The motive behind the assault remains unknown, but investigators are working to gather more information.
Pittman also has a prior accusation of attacking a 73-year-old at a bus station in 2023. He is now being held on bond totaling $300,000.