Police shoot suspect in Andhra school chainsaw attack during attempted escape
A 21-year-old suspect arrested for a chainsaw assault on a student in Anantapur was shot by police while trying to flee, after a manhunt that began Friday.
Police said they shot a 21-year-old man identified as Hemanth alias Dummu on Sunday night after he resisted arrest and attempted to flee custody. The suspect had been arrested in the Atmakur forest area of Anantapur district following an intensive search operation based on credible information. According to officials, when officers closed in, Hemanth allegedly threw stones, tried to attack them with a knife and attempted to escape, prompting officers to fire six rounds in self-defence, critically injuring him.
The incident originated on Friday when Hemanth allegedly entered a classroom at Zilla Parishad High School in Raptadu mandal and attacked a Class 10 student with a chainsaw, critically injuring her. A second student was also hurt while trying to intervene. School staff and students alerted police and rushed the injured girl to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said he was monitoring the victim’s recovery and instructed officials to provide the highest priority medical care. He also ordered a swift investigation and strict legal action against the accused.