The illegal drug flakka continues to be in the news as another user is accused of a heinous crime while under the influence of the drug. According to law enforcement, Austin Kelly Harrouff, 19, a Florida State University sophomore, stabbed Michelle Mishcon Stevens, 53, and John Stevens III, 59, as they were out walking. The attacker did not know the couple, who were residents in the upscale community of Jupiter, Florida. Neighbors described the couple as well liked and the attack as a random encounter.
In a 911 call made by the couple’s neighbor, Jeff Fisher, 47, he can be heard breathing heavily after he heard screams and rushed to the Stevens’ house on Southeast Kokomo Lane to help, only to be stabbed several times himself. When police arrived, they found the attacker leaning over the body of John Stevens and biting off chunks of his face in the couple’s driveway. A female deputy arrived at the scene and used a stun gun, which had no effect on Harrouff. It took four deputies and a K9 to pull Harrouff off the victim; the suspect was described by Martin County Sheriff William Snyder as “grunting and growling,” and “making animal noises” when arrested.
According to Snyder, Harrouff “was abnormally strong. … So getting that excited delirium type increased adrenaline strength … I’m not going to speculate, except to say that we know in our business that people on flakka or bath salts will do this type of behavior, where they attack the victim and do the biting and actually remove pieces of flesh in the bites.”
Harrouff was sedated and transported to a hospital suffering from the effects of the powerful drug. He was placed on life support, but is now improving according to law enforcement.
The effects of the drug can cause produces paranoia, hallucinations, hyper-stimulation and extreme, violent actions. In addition, it can lead to heart attack, kidney damage or kidney failure. It can quickly raise body temperature to dangerous levels.
