Abu Dhabi: A mentally ill man attacked his father with a hatchet, causing serious head injuries, Abu Dhabi Police revealed in a press release on Sunday.
The elderly victim, M.E., an Arab national, was sent to an Abu Dhabi hospital’s intensive care unit where he was in critical condition.
The 30-year-old son, E.M., has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital in the capital.
The incident happened at the Arab family’s Khalidiya area home after the son beat his father’s head and arm with a hatchet.
The offender allegedly saved up his pocket money to purchase the weapon in an attempt to murder his father.
The family members called up the police who located the suspect and admitted him to a psychiatric hospital.
According to the family’s testimony, the accused is said to suffer from schizophrenia but has not been taking his medication regularly, causing his condition to worsen.
Colonel Dr Rashid Mohammad Bu Rashid, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department in Abu Dhabi Police, urged the families of mentally ill people to take extra care when dealing with them. The family members should have the police emergency number [999] and call up the police if the patient turns violent.
