Man charged after striking random person with hammer in East Providence

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The East Providence Police Department said they responded to a Dollar Tree after a man was assaulted with a hammer.

According to police, a man who was suffering from a serious mental health issue left his home with a hammer and walked to the strip-mall on Willett Avenue in Riverside.

Officials said the man then struck a random person in the head with the hammer. Nearby citizens were able to subdue the man until police arrived.

The person who was struck suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital.

The assailant was charged with felony assault and was also brought to an area hospital for treatment and evaluation.