Cops shoot man eating victim's face
Miami police shot dead a naked man who was found mauling the face of a homeless man on 26 May 2012.
The bizarre incident occurred on Miami's MacArthur Causeway around 2 pm.
According to local witnesses, Rudy Eugene, 31, and Ronald Poppo, 65, had been involved in an altercation with one another when a woman flagged down a police car to assess the situation. The police officer approached Eugene and observed him mauling Poppo's face.
The Miami Herald reported that the police officer ordered Eugene away from the victim, and when he ignored the demand the officer shot him.
Even after being shot Eugene continued to eat Poppo's face, leading to the loss of his left eye and causing severe damage to his right eye. The police officer then shot Eugene several more times, eventually killing him.
Poppo suffered severe injuries during the attack, including a brain injury and punctures to his chest. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition but survived. Infections from the saliva in Eugene's mouth caused major complications for Poppo when undergoing surgery.
It is not known why Eugene attacked the 65-year-old, although 'bath salts' - a potent hallucinogenic drug, and marijuana were said to have been found in his system.
Poppo's face will remain permanently disfigured despite $200,000 worth of surgery, funded by Dade County, Florida.
