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What Really Happened? Questions Surround Paramedic Stabbing
A LAFD Ambulance | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist
A LAFD Ambulance | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist
Last week Charles Anthony MacDougal, a nine-year veteran with the Los Angeles Fire Department, was walking by the Cecil Hotel in downtown with his partner when they were flagged down to give medical help inside. MacDougal went inside and ended up getting stabbed by the apparent patient, who was never found after an intensive police manhunt. That was the story then, but now a handful of news reports raise questions about the accuracy of that story, citing inconsistencies.A Fox11 Report said MacDougal and his partner were milling around the coffeshop in the hotel lobby when he left to go help a patient on the 3rd floor. He was later found on the 8th floor and only called for help once in the elevator with his partner.
A KCBS report also noted similar by different inconsistencies, including how he casually responded to the request for medical aid while his partner went to the ambulance and sat there for several minutes. Later when his partner found him on an upper floor, MacDougal apparently told him not to call the police or for help.
Before the stabbing, MacDougal had been named "Paramedic of the Year" at County-USC, where he was treated for superficial stab wounds. He did not show up at a ceremony honoring him on Thursday -- he was still recovering.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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