Dentist, hygienist hailed as heroes after California hospital stabbing

Two dental professionals are credited with saving a California hospital after a man entered the building and stabbed two nurses and an emergency department physician, CBS Los Angeles reported June 4. 

Ashkan Amirsoleymani, 35, allegedly entered the emergency department of Encino (Calif.) Hospital Medical Center June 3 and asked to be treated for anxiety before stabbing the healthcare workers, according to a June 3 USA Today report. After a standoff with police for several hours, he was taken into custody, according to CBS Los Angeles

According to CBS Los Angeles, Faraz Farahnik, DDS, and Parham Saddat, a registered dental hygienist, were leaving Encino Dental Smile across the street from the hospital when they spotted a man in scrubs who was bleeding excessively.

After helping the stabbing victim outside, Dr. Farahnik and Mr. Saddat went to the hospital and closed the door on a man they saw walk into a room with a knife, they told the station. They then said they helped stop the bleeding of other victims until paramedics arrived. 

The three victims were recovering as of June 5, according to a statement shared with Becker's from the hospital's owner, Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare. 

Mr. Amirsoleymani was hospitalized after the attack for treatment of self-inflicted injuries to his arms, according to the USA Today report. He has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and is being held on $3 million bail. 

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