Watch: Chicago Firefighter Hits Unruly Man with Halligan Bar
When a shirtless man charged a Chicago firefighter, he was hit in the head with a halligan bar.
Seconds earlier, a police officer had fired a Taser at the man, but it was unsuccessful, CBS News reported.
The man then charges a firefighter who is carrying the tool. To protect himself near the rig, he swings.
The second swing caught the man in the head and knocked him out briefly. After the strike, the firefighter dropped the bar and went to the victim to check him out.
"He did what he had to do. He swung the weapon and he protected himself. And I noticed ... he had empath, because after he swung the weapon, he dropped it ... and walked up on the man to make sure he was OK," said Cherokee Mahomes, who recorded the incident outside a church.
The victim, who was apparently suffering a mental health crisis, is recovering.
"I feel like he (the firefighter)protected us. He's my hero to me. I'm on his side."
About the Author
Susan NicolSusan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
