Chaos unfolded in the quiet community of Belle Vernon as local police responded to a bizarre and terrifying incident at Check Eye Group on Broad Avenue. WPXI reported a man, wielding two knives and wearing only shorts, stormed the eye care office on Monday afternoon, terrifying staff and patients as he went on a rampage. "We were all in a state of shock and then panic, fearing what was going to happen while he was in the office swinging the knives," Dr. John Cicchini, owner of the practice, stated. The suspect was identified as 54-year-old Darnell Howell, who caused extensive damage throughout the office.
CBS News Pittsburgh detailed that police found Howell in the midst of further destroying property inside the doctor's office. They attempted to apprehend him; however, Howell continued to be combative and managed to briefly evade capture before police finally cornered him on the street. Dr. Cicchini described the employees' plight to WPXI, saying, "It was just hard trying to keep track of where he was in the office and what he was doing." The office sustained visible damage, with a couch stabbed multiple times and shattered displays.
When officers arrived, they encountered Howell, who had lost his shorts during the struggle and was naked, holding a large butcher knife and a steak knife. Police said Howell initially ignored repeated commands before eventually placing the knives on a display table. Authorities described the arrest as difficult, noting that Howell was sweating heavily and shouting that he believed he was going to die. The incident left employees and a patient fearing for their safety and has shaken the small community, with the Check Eye Group now addressing the damage left behind.
As per CBS News Pittsburgh, Howell, who was also intoxicated during the incident, has been charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated assault, indecent exposure, and public drunkenness. Howell, who was bleeding from his hand and had several superficial cuts on his stomach, is now held at the Westmoreland County Prison on $50,000 bail.
