NEW ORLEANS — Two officers with the New Orleans Police Department are being treated at a hospital for injuries sustained while investigating a cutting incident involving "some sort of chainsaw" in the 1200 block of Riviera Avenue.
According to the NOPD, investigators say Third District officers initially responded to a call shortly after 2 p.m. of a 70-year-old woman whose arm had been severed and sought help at a family member's home nearby.
Once on the scene, officers immediately had the woman transported to the hospital where she is believed to be in critical condition.
Shortly afterward, the NOPD relocated to the 3500 block of Franklin Avenue where they engaged the suspect and were able to apprehend him. That's when the officers were wounded.
The suspect, 34-year-old John Pittman, was arrested in connection with aggravated battery by cutting and resisting arrest. WWL Louisiana checked Pittman's criminal history, which shows he was arrested last year for second-degree battery and battery on the infirmed. Pittman was schedule for a hearing on July 31.
The extent of the officers' injuries has not been confirmed at this time, but the NOPD says the injuries are considered mild to moderate.
An NOPD spokesperson said police are waiting to confirm the relationship between the elderly woman and the suspect.
See the complete NOPD presser regarding incident below:
There is currently no further information available.
This is an ongoing story and WWL Louisiana will provide further updates.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.