A BIZARRE series of events resulted in a doctor’s death after he was hit by a car before being repeatedly stabbed in a deadly attack.
Emergency room doctor, Michael Mammone, 58, was killed in the strange attack in Dana Point, California on Wednesday.
Police say Vanroy Smith, 39, hit Mammone with his car around 3pm before getting out of the vehicle and stabbing the doctor multiple times.
Smith was stopped by several witnesses who waited until police arrived to take him.
According to witnesses, Smith was holding a BB gun as he approached Mammone before pulling out a knife to stab him.
Mammone was pronounced dead at the hospital.
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At this time, investigators said there are no connections between the two men.
“As of right now we currently don’t truly understand the why… as far as motivation and any type of relationship,” said Orange County Sheriff’s Sgt Mike Woodruff.
“Investigators are keeping all options open to check those boxes if you will, to make sure they don’t leave anything uncovered.”
Providence Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach where Mammone worked issued a statement, calling the doctor’s death a “stunning tragedy.”
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“The entire Mission Hospital family is grieving over the loss of an incredible physician and friend,” the statement read.
“We will honor Dr. Mammone’s dedication to our community and passion for medicine by continuing to provide exceptional care.”
Staff at the hospital told Fox 11 that Mammone was an avid bike rider since he lived a few blocks away from the hospital.
He was killed less than a mile away from his job.
“That's the irony of this whole thing,” said cardiologist Dr. Dawn Aatwal.
“If a patient was brought in his condition he would have done everything he could to save that person. He has saved so many lives here, and he died very close to where he saved hundreds of lives.”
Smith has been charged on suspicion to commit murder.
