A Wisconsin teenager is accused of asking his father for a hug before suddenly stabbing him in the neck and then trying to attack him again, police say.
Joseph Niemiec, 18, is facing a charge of first-degree attempted homicide following the disturbing incident in Racine.
Police were called to the 4200 block of 21st Street around 1 a.m. on Aug. 12 after receiving a report of a stabbing.
When officers arrived, they found Niemiec’s father badly injured and bleeding from the neck.
According to an arrest affidavit cited by WITI, the victim was “covered in blood” and pressing his hand against his neck but was still conscious and able to speak with police.
The father told investigators that he had heard a noise coming from the back door and initially believed someone might be breaking into the home.
He soon realized the person entering was his son.
Once inside, Niemiec allegedly asked his father if they could talk.
The two sat down in the kitchen, where the teenager reportedly told his father he was having a “rough go at life,” had previously attempted suicide and did not know what to do.
Police said Niemiec then went to the bathroom.
When he returned, he allegedly asked his father for a hug.
That was when the encounter suddenly turned violent, according to investigators.
“As they went to hug Joseph quickly presented a knife and stabbed [the victim] in the neck,” the affidavit states.
The father told police he initially felt what seemed like a punch to the throat before realizing he had been stabbed.
He stumbled backward and immediately grabbed his neck.
Police allege Niemiec then moved toward his father a second time while still holding the knife.
The father was able to disarm his son and push him away.
He then ran from the home, but authorities say Niemiec chased after him.
The injured man managed to throw the knife into a trash can before reaching a neighbor’s house and calling 911.
Niemiec allegedly fled the area in a Chevrolet Malibu.
Authorities launched a search for him, and roughly 10 hours later, Nebraska State Patrol troopers spotted the Malibu traveling on Interstate 80 near the Alda interchange.
By that point, Niemiec was about 650 miles away from the Racine crime scene.
Troopers arrested him and took him to the Hall County Jail, where he was being held while awaiting extradition back to Wisconsin.
Police said Niemiec’s father is expected to make a full recovery.
Niemiec’s mug shot later drew attention online because he appeared to be smirking at the camera.
The attempted homicide charge remains an allegation, and Niemiec has not been convicted.
Niemiec’s mug shot later drew attention online because he appeared to be smirking at the camera. He later admitted smiling for his police mug shot because he felt the courts and specifically the judges, were a joke and that nothing would happen to him.
He thought he wanted to commit suicide? Wait until you are in prison for 10 to 20 years, you will want to kill yourself daily….
Hope so!!!