Update 1/7: Berkeley police provided more details about the man found bleeding on University Avenue. The man, in his 50s, apparently had used a box cutter to slice his neck when he was found, according to Lt. Andrew Rateaver. Police are not sure if it was a suicide attempt or not. The man’s wounds, while serious, were not life-threatening. A local biohazard company was brought in to assist with the clean-up, said Rateaver.
Just 45 minutes earlier, Berkeley police had responded to a report of a man walking in traffic on San Pablo Avenue. The man did not have any pants on and had a needle sticking out of his arm, said Rateaver.
The two incidents were not related, said Rateaver.
Original story: Berkeley police are investigating a “casualty incident” where a man with a knife is bleeding in the street.
Both the police and fire departments are at the intersection of University Avenue and Jefferson Avenue, according to Lt. Andrew Rateaver.
The man was treated for his injuries and then transported to the hospital.
No other details have been released.
“Other circumstances at this time are unclear,” Rateaver wrote in an email that was sent around 2 p.m.
However, a witness told David Yee, a Berkeleyside contributing photographer, that he saw the man walking eastbound on University Avenue stabbing himself. The witness said another person was egging him on. Police have not confirmed this, though.
Roads around University and Jefferson may be closed as police investigate, said Rateaver.
