Arrest in Violent Attack on Detroit Medics
Rojas and Adams were stabbed and slashed while treating a patient
Wed, Oct 21, 2015
DETROIT (WDIV) - The man wanted for stabbing and slashing two Detroit EMTs with a box cutter was taken into custody Tuesday night in the area of Fenkell and Whitcomb Avenues. Police also arrested the woman who was initially being treated by technicians when the attack started.
Alfredo Rojas, 25, and Kelly Adams, 49, underwent surgeries on Tuesday and continue to improve. On Wednesday morning, hospital officials said Adams was listed in fair condition and Rojas was listed in good condition. ClickOnDetroit.com will continue to keep you updated on their recovery.
Police began tracking the suspect after he attacked the EMTs near the Neighborhood Service Organization in the 3400 block of 3rd street in Detroit. Rojas and Adams were helping a woman who reported a sprained ankle across the street from the NSO building when the man got angry, apparently because the EMTs decided the woman wouldn't be transported in the EMS rig, and pulled out a box cutter.
The attacker stabbed and slashed Rojas first and then turned on Adams when she stepped in to help. Both suffered deep stab and slash wounds to the face and hands.
Alfredo Rojas, 25, and Kelly Adams, 49, underwent surgeries on Tuesday and continue to improve. On Wednesday morning, hospital officials said Adams was listed in fair condition and Rojas was listed in good condition. ClickOnDetroit.com will continue to keep you updated on their recovery.Police began tracking the suspect after he attacked the EMTs near the Neighborhood Service Organization in the 3400 block of 3rd street in Detroit. Rojas and Adams were helping a woman who reported a sprained ankle across the street from the NSO building when the man got angry, apparently because the EMTs decided the woman wouldn't be transported in the EMS rig, and pulled out a box cutter.
The attacker stabbed and slashed Rojas first and then turned on Adams when she stepped in to help. Both suffered deep stab and slash wounds to the face and hands.
Families of injured EMTs speak out
Christie Adams, Kelly Adams’ sister, says Adams puts her life on the line every day for others.
"Kelly is an amazing woman," she said. "She’s always trying to help others."
Family members say the whole ordeal has been like a nightmare and they're still in disbelief that someone would attack two people who were only trying to help someone in distress.
"I feel so bad because he do his job with all his heart," said Rojas’ mother. She said Adams recognized the suspect when the EMTs got to the scene because he had allegedly given them trouble in the past. She said Adams told Rojas to be careful around the man.
Doctors say there is a chance there will be some permanent scarring but both are expected to make a full recovery.
Christie Adams, Kelly Adams’ sister, says Adams puts her life on the line every day for others.
"Kelly is an amazing woman," she said. "She’s always trying to help others."
Family members say the whole ordeal has been like a nightmare and they're still in disbelief that someone would attack two people who were only trying to help someone in distress.
"I feel so bad because he do his job with all his heart," said Rojas’ mother. She said Adams recognized the suspect when the EMTs got to the scene because he had allegedly given them trouble in the past. She said Adams told Rojas to be careful around the man.
Doctors say there is a chance there will be some permanent scarring but both are expected to make a full recovery.
Fire Commissioner: EMTs came 'within inches of dying'
Interim Executive Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said the EMTs drove themselves to the hospital after the attack and came "within inches of dying" from their injuries.
"(They drove) to save their lives," Jones said. "They decided that they needed to get to the hospital right away. The medics drove themselves and I'm glad they did. I'm glad they're here."
Jones described their injuries as "some very, very deep lacerations" and said it's possible the EMTs will have some permanent scarring.
"It was a horrific scene," Jones said. "The EMS rig, the scene inside of the rig is horrific, their injuries are horrific. They're upset, they're concerned about the safety of how they do their job and their colleagues."
Jones said he's determined to give officials the training and equipment they need to protect themselves in the field. He said he will speak with Police Chief James Craig about de-escalation and defensive tactics training.
Attack raises concern over EMS safety
The attack on Rojas and Adams has raised concern about the safety of EMS technicians working in Detroit. The demands for safety training are intensifying.
"We’ve dropped the ball for some time at Detroit EMS," said Joe Barney, the Detroit EMS union president.
Barney said he and EMS workers have been asking for safety training for some time, including self-defense, de-escalation and more.
He said the fire and EMS departments weren’t interested.
"They worried more about lawsuits from citizens than technicians getting injured," he said. "And last night was probably the most brutal, savage attack I’ve ever seen on EMS technicians."
It was just his second day on the job, but on Tuesday Jones said he will meet with DPD to ask for training.
"I understand the situation that the men and women of the Detroit Fire Department and Detroit EMS Department are experiencing right now," Jones said. "I’m working aggressively to get them the training and the equipment they need."
Many agree that safety training would not have prevented the attack. But Barney and Mayor Mike Duggan agree that the injuries might not have been as serious.
"We need to give our EMTs every possible tool for their protection," Duggan said. "Commissioner Jones is working on that right now."
"They’re going to need some prayers." Barney said, fighting back tears. "There’s going to be a lengthy recovery. And in some cases, they might not be normal again."
Copyright 2015 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Interim Executive Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said the EMTs drove themselves to the hospital after the attack and came "within inches of dying" from their injuries.
"(They drove) to save their lives," Jones said. "They decided that they needed to get to the hospital right away. The medics drove themselves and I'm glad they did. I'm glad they're here."
Jones described their injuries as "some very, very deep lacerations" and said it's possible the EMTs will have some permanent scarring.
"It was a horrific scene," Jones said. "The EMS rig, the scene inside of the rig is horrific, their injuries are horrific. They're upset, they're concerned about the safety of how they do their job and their colleagues."
Jones said he's determined to give officials the training and equipment they need to protect themselves in the field. He said he will speak with Police Chief James Craig about de-escalation and defensive tactics training.
Attack raises concern over EMS safety
The attack on Rojas and Adams has raised concern about the safety of EMS technicians working in Detroit. The demands for safety training are intensifying.
"We’ve dropped the ball for some time at Detroit EMS," said Joe Barney, the Detroit EMS union president.
Barney said he and EMS workers have been asking for safety training for some time, including self-defense, de-escalation and more.
He said the fire and EMS departments weren’t interested.
"They worried more about lawsuits from citizens than technicians getting injured," he said. "And last night was probably the most brutal, savage attack I’ve ever seen on EMS technicians."
It was just his second day on the job, but on Tuesday Jones said he will meet with DPD to ask for training.
"I understand the situation that the men and women of the Detroit Fire Department and Detroit EMS Department are experiencing right now," Jones said. "I’m working aggressively to get them the training and the equipment they need."
Many agree that safety training would not have prevented the attack. But Barney and Mayor Mike Duggan agree that the injuries might not have been as serious.
"We need to give our EMTs every possible tool for their protection," Duggan said. "Commissioner Jones is working on that right now."
"They’re going to need some prayers." Barney said, fighting back tears. "There’s going to be a lengthy recovery. And in some cases, they might not be normal again."
Copyright 2015 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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