A Harlingen man was almost killed Monday when a man wielding a sword almost severed his arm. According to Valley Central, Michael Hernandez, 23, was initially hit over the head with a 2×4 piece of wood, and then viciously attacked with a Japanese style sword.
The sword cut through Hernandez’s skin, muscles, ligaments, and even bone. According to Valley Central, it took two eight hour surgeries to save the 23 year old father of two’s arm. He likely will carry the two plates and twelve screws used to hold his arm together for the rest of his life.
“When I tried to defend myself, he took a real hard swing at me across my face, but I blocked myself and picked up my arms and I just ended up feeling my arm go limp,” he described.
Lying ahead of him, Hernandez faces one more surgery, a very lengthy recovery, and the trial of his yet uncaptured assailant. According to Valley Central, Hernandez has accused the La Feria Police Department for “dragging its feet in the investigation.” Department red tape prohibits charges against the assailant to be filed until he can personally go to make them. Unfortunately for Hernandez, due to the severe and unusual nature of his injuries, it may take some time before he can do this.
“What they’re doing right now isn’t right…The guy is still on the loose and he hasn’t even been caught. They tell me I cannot file charged until I’m out of the hospital and until I go in person over there. No investigator has come to visit me or anything.”
Police Chief Don Garcia told reporters that what happened to Hernandez was “horrible” after being shown a picture of the victim’s nearly severed arm. He expects to have an arrest as early as next week.
It is suspected that Hernandez’s attack was a vengeful response from an old assault case that led to his arrest. Police reportedly refused to elaborate on the assailant’s motive, but hinted that it may have been caused by a feud over a stolen gun.
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