A writer described on March 9 an ongoing incident outside his office at a Skid Row homeless shelter in Los Angeles, where a man was holding a box cutter to his throat and clutching a knife. The standoff with police lasted for several hours and drew attention from people in the area.
The account highlights the daily challenges and despair often seen in Skid Row, an area known for its high concentration of homelessness and poverty. The writer noted that such incidents are not uncommon in this part of Los Angeles, which is rarely featured in travel guides.
Throughout the ordeal, the man shouted about violations of his constitutional rights while interacting with a police officer. The writer shared his initial feelings of frustration at being delayed from leaving work but reflected on the importance of empathy during Lent, stating, “We are supposed to see Jesus in everyone we meet. It is hard to see Jesus in the boxcutter man. But he was once somebody’s baby, even a mom’s pride and joy.”
He also discussed how people end up on Skid Row for various reasons—some due to misfortune and others because of personal choices—and cautioned against feeling superior or judgmental toward those experiencing homelessness. “If mercy and forgiveness are good enough for us, it certainly is good enough for the boxcutter man,” he wrote.
After nearly five hours, police allowed those inside the shelter to leave as the situation deescalated. The writer concluded by expressing hope that mercy would be shown to both himself and the man involved.
