Man goes on rampage inside Hamtramck city office

Man taken to hospital for psychiatric evaluation

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – A man is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation after he went on a rampage Tuesday afternoon inside the Hamtramck City Clerk's office.

In an interview with Local 4, City Clerk August Gitschlag said he was the only one in the office when the man showed up.

"A gentleman, who was clearly distraught, came up to the counter yelling and screaming that he's been trying to call the office," Gitschlag said. "The next thing you know, he just bolts through the service counter, landing on my assistant's desk, who, thankfully, was at lunch. He proceeded to just smash everything he could see."

Gitschlag said the man told him he was having a breakdown and needed help.

"He turned to grab a table and that was my chance to bolt," Gitschlag said. He got out through a back door.

The man was confronted by police and taken to Detroit Receiving Hospital.

Police said it was later discovered that the man had been calling 911 and threatening suicide before he showed up at the office.