A white teen who stabbed three people, killing two, and tried to eat one of the victim’s faces was subdued by police officers without deadly force last week. The scenario has raised questions about Black men who have been shot and killed despite being nonviolent and compliant, as well as a young Black manin a similar face-eating scenario who was shot and killed by officers.
Nineteen-year-old Austin Harrouff, who is white, murdered 53-year-old Michelle Mascon and her husband, John Stevens III, 59, and bit off part of Stevens’ face. Harrouff also stabbed a third person, Jeff Fisher, a neighbor who intervened and called 911. Fisher was seriously injured and underwent surgery.
Harrouff is currently in the hospital sedated in critical condition. According to his father, some of his organs are failing as a result of a wound to his esophagus he sustained on the night of the attack. When he is responsive, he will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, armed burglary and resisting an officer with violence, the sheriff’s office reported.
