A man carrying a hatchet, who also had blood covering his hands and clothing, was arrested by city police Friday at approximately 2 p.m. on the 200 block of State Street, although they actually responded to a call that he had an ax, the Madison Police Department reported.
Soon after the arrest, police officers and fire rescue personnel were also dispatched to the 10 block of North Carroll Street in response to a man whose head was bleeding.
Thomas A. Howes, 48, who is from out of state, is being held under suspicion of striking the victim in the head with a hatchet several times, causing injury.
According to the report, Howes and the victim, who is described as a 51-year-old white male and a Madison resident, did not know each other.
The victim was treated for non-life-threatening head lacerations and released from a local hospital.
The suspect in custody has been admitted to the Mendota Mental Health Institute, 301 Troy Drive.
The investigation of the incident, which is classified as reckless endangerment, is continuing, the police report said.
