He allegedly used a pocket knife and several “weapons of opportunity” within the garage, before gnawing on Stevens’ face, says Martin County Sheriff William Snyder. It took several deputies and a dog to subdue him. “Nothing was working, using all the physical force they could muster”, Snyder said.
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Initial tests showed no evidence of common street drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine or heroin, he said.
Harfouff’s mother first called Jupiter Police to report his unusual behavior Monday Night. She told the officer that her son, 19-year-old Austin Harrouff, abruptly left dinner with friends and family at Duffy’s restaurant on Indiantown Road in Jupiter that evening after getting in an argument with his father.
A police report said Mina Harrouff described her son acting strangely for a week, claiming he had superpowers and was “here to protect people”. In a 911 call released by police Wednesday, she told a dispatcher, “it seems like he’s a little delusional” and “he says he feels immortal and like a super hero”.
Austin Harrouff: “what’s up guys”.
Harrouff, who is still hospitalized at St. Mary’s Medical Center, was set to start his sophomore year this fall at Florida State. A neighbor who tried to break up the fight was also hurt, according to the Martin County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Department.
“We are very proud of Jeff and the courage he has shown while attempting to help his friends and neighbors”, the statement said, and asked for privacy.
Police said Harrouff, 19, was making “animal-like noises” and ripping off one of his victim’s faces with his teeth when they arrived at the victim’s home Monday night. The obvious questions: What was Harrouff on when he committed the brutal murders and why did he do it? “Certainly, there are mental health issues that are going to have to be investigated here”.
The tests for flakka could take one to three weeks, the sheriff’s office said. He wouldn’t speculate on whether Harrouff was high on drugs.
Flakka, nicknamed “gravel”, has recently been banned in the United Kingdom and USA because of the “excited delirium” it causes.
“We know in our business that people on flakka or bath salts will do this type of behavior where they attack their victim and do the biting and remove pieces of flesh in the biting”, Snyder said at a news conference Tuesday morning. Bath salts change you, there’s no doubt about it!
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Fisher said that he did not know the man.
