By Nicholas Rizzi and Wil Cruz
DNAinfo Staff
BROOKLYN — An emotionally disturbed man stole dozens of prescription pills from a Gravesend pharmacy Monday and then repeatedly stabbed and slashed his own neck in an suicide attempt, police sources and witnesses said.
The 31-year-old man, who was clinging to life, entered a Rite Aid on Kings Highway about 3:30 p.m. and stole the drugs at knifepoint, police sources said.
No one at the pharmacy was injured.
The suspect dashed out and ran a few blocks to a backyard at 1708 W. 12th St., sources and witnesses said.
That's when he repeatedly cut himself in front of horrified onlookers.
Priscilla DeJesus, 29, a student, said the man stabbed himself in front of her dad in her family's backyard.
"My father just ran the hell out of there," DeJesus said.
An FDNY spokesman said paramedics rushed the man to Lutheran Hospital where he was in critical condition.