Surveillance footage from a nearby home captured a disturbing incident where a doctor riding a bicycle in California was hit by a car and then allegedly stabbed to death by the driver.
The footage, captured by a Ring camera, shows 58-year-old Dr. Michael John Mammone being thrown over the hood of a white Lexus at a busy Dana Point intersection on Crown Valley Parkway near Pacific Coast Highway, around 3 PM on Wednesday.
The authorities confirmed that the suspect, 39-year-old Vanroy Evan Smith, exited the vehicle with a knife and inflicted further injuries on Mammone.
The motive behind the heinous incident remains unclear, and police have said the two men were strangers, but a neighbor told ABC7 she heard the suspect muttering about “white privilege” after hearing what sounded like a “gunshot.”
Mammone was later pronounced dead at the hospital, while heroic bystanders managed to detain Smith, whom police booked on suspicion of murder.
Witnesses also claimed Smith was holding a BB gun when he first approached Mammone.
The knife used in the attack was reportedly left at the scene.
“Investigators are keeping all options open to check those boxes, if you will, to make sure they don’t leave anything uncovered,” Sgt. Mike Woodruff told KTLA Thursday.
At the time of his death, Mammone was an emergency room physician at Providence Mission Hospital in Laguna Beach.
“The entire Mission Hospital family is grieving over the loss of an incredible physician and friend,” the hospital said in a statement to KTLA.
“We will honor Dr. Mammone’s dedication to our community and passion for medicine by continuing to provide exceptional care.”
According to his US News & World Report Health profile, Mammone obtained a medical degree from the University of Southern California School of Medicine, and had been practicing for over two decades.
Kendra K. Swaim-Chambers, a colleague of Mammone’s at Mission Hospital, shared a photo of the doctor surrounded by smiling colleagues on Facebook late Thursday.
“Wonderful memories with our work family! Always love and support for his colleagues by Dr. Michael Mammone and his beautiful wife,” she wrote.
“[Laguna Beach Emergency Room] Sunday-Tuesday will never be the same, there will always be a void and a profound silence,” another user commented.
As of Friday afternoon, Orange County records show that Smith remains in custody at the Intake Release Center.
His next court appearance is set for Friday, but it is unclear if this information has been updated.
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