WACO -
A local man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his mother and a Waco police officer. Richard Butler's 11 year-old daughter called police and told them she saw her dad attacking her mother and grandmother.
When officers arrived, Butler ran and demanded them to shoot him.
Waco Public Information Sergeant, Patrick Swanton said "At one point the officers were able to catch the suspect as they were attempting to handcuff him. He physically grabbed the officer's hand, put the officer's finger in his mouth and as the officer described it, was gnawing on his finger."
Both the officer and Butler's mother were taken to local hospitals. The officer has been released. Butler's mother is being treated for injuries to her face.
Witnesses say Butler was drinking and smoking synthetic marijuana prior to the incident. Officers believe the drug could have factored into his behavior.
Sgt. Swanton says the use of the drug is on the rise, "With the synthetic marijuana we're seeing increased violence across the United States on these kinds of cases. People that are smoking this stuff have abnormal reactions to it."
Butler was arrested and taken to the McLennan County Jail. He faces multiple charges including; assault family violence, assault on a peace officer and resisting arrest.
