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ARENAC COUNTY, MI (WNEM) — A local man concerned about sewage flowing into a creek near his home went to extremes to bring attention to the issue by cutting himself during a village meeting.
He broadcasted the act live on social media.
The Arenac County man said attempts to notify environmental agencies and the town where he lives has went unanswered.
A disturbing Facebook video shows Sterling resident Jim Shaw slashing his forearm with a razorblade, all during a village hall meeting on Tuesday.
Shaw has been vocal about an issue over sewage water in his backyard. He even spoke to TV5 about the issue last year.
According to authorities, deputies have even been called to other village meetings over his behavior.
“Has it escalated to that point? No,” Arenac County Undersheriff Don McIntyre said.
McIntyre said this time Shaw took it too far, causing his deputies to take action and subdue him without hurting anyone else.
The sheriff’s office said when someone uses a weapon against themselves it becomes a very different situation.
“The goal for us in law enforcement is to resolve those situations peacefully using tactical negotiation and that’s apparent in the video. That’s what happened that night,” McIntyre said.
Lisa Seibert, who lives next door, is just hoping incidents like this will never happen again at village meetings.
“I do hope people get whatever has all the issues going on, I hope they get them resolved,” Seibert said.
TV5 reached out to Shaw for comment, but has not heard back.
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