NBC News 4
Jessica Cunningham reporting.
Good afternoon. This is your news for now. Update. I’m Adam Kuperstein, and we start in the Bronx, where a man is in custody after police say he attacked four EMTs that, they say, were called in to help that man. It happened along a bill inside a building along Sedgwick Avenue in Morris Heights. Two of those EMTs were hurt so badly they had to go to the hospital. Here’s news. Four’s, Jessica Cunnington, with an update. Two EMTs are recovering right now after having to get stitches after these assaults last night at this building on Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx. Take a look at this new video we’re getting of the massive response.
This is last night after 10:00 PM. You can see first responders running down the block towards the building. All of the ambulances and police cars that are lining this block.
Now, inside the lobby. You could see the door was shattered. There’s blood on the floor. It was also seen on the walls. Fire officials tell us a team of four EMTs responded inside this building for report of a person with an altered mental status. While they were inside trying to help that person, police tell us a 32 year old EMT was slashed around his body and on his head. A 20 year old EMT was also hurt and rushed to the hospital.
The EMT union president, Oren Barzilay, telling us in a statement that there are no routine calls for the men and women on this job, and violence against their crews is unfortunately becoming routine. And he says that is unacceptable.
Right now, we know from police that one person has been arrested and charged. His name is Jose Bencosme. He’s 22 years old. He lives inside this building and he’s now been charged with two counts of assault in Morris Heights.
I’m, Jessica Cunnington, back to you.