NEW ORLEANS, LA – A disturbing incident in New Orleans has led to the arrest of a 34-year-old man after he was accused of violently severing his mother’s arm with a chainsaw. The horrific attack also resulted in injuries to two law enforcement officers during the perpetrator’s arrest.

Authorities responded to a distressing call on Riviera Avenue around 2 p.m. When they arrived, they found a 70-year-old woman with a serious injury consistent with her arm being severed. Quickly transported to a nearby hospital, she was last reported to be in critical condition.

The investigation rapidly led officers to another residence on Franklin Avenue in the Gentilly neighborhood. Here, they encountered John Pittman, the suspect matching the description provided. The arrest process turned violent, leaving two officers with mild to moderate injuries, one of whom suffered a severe fall resulting in a broken leg along with head and neck injuries. The other officer sustained a bite to the arm.

Both officers required hospital treatment but have since been released. During the arrest, officials were forced to utilize a stun gun to subdue Pittman, who sustained multiple abrasions and a missing tooth.

While the motive behind the chainsaw assault remains undetermined, the suspect, Pittman, has a troubling history in the community, including an alleged assault on a 73-year-old at a bus station earlier in the year. Detectives are gathering information to unveil the reasons behind the attack on his mother.

A neighbor reflected on the gravity of the incident, suggesting such violence often appears unreal until it unfolds within one’s own community.

Pittman now faces multiple charges, including aggravated battery by cutting and resisting arrest. He is currently held on a $300,000 bond.

The New Orleans Police Department continued to investigate the case, collecting evidence, which included the retrieval of a chainsaw from the residence. As developments arise, further details are expected to be shared regarding this alarming family-related violence and the subsequent assault on law enforcement officers.