Man Tased After Swinging Knife At Bethesda Intersection: Police

BETHESDA, MD — A man was tased by police after swinging a knife and approaching motorists at a Bethesda intersection on Sunday evening, according to authorities.

Montgomery County Police say they encountered the knife-wielding man, who was wearing a blanket around his head, at the intersection of Rockville Pike and Grosvenor Lane around 6:43 p.m.

In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, responding officers set up a perimeter, blocked traffic, and tried to speak with the man — who they say was swinging a knife and approaching motorists.

After several unsuccessful attempts to de-escalate the situation, police said they tased the man and took him into custody. He was then taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

While there, the man told officers that he had a history of mental illness and had taken amphetamines prior to the incident, police said.

It is unclear if the man took a drug test to confirm actual drug consumption.

Amphetamines — according to the Drug Enforcement Agency — are prescription stimulants used to treat Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The agency says chronic abuse of amphetamines can lead to a psychosis that resembles schizophrenia.