YouTube engineer on LSD-fuelled 4th July rampage leaves eight people hurt

Tech worker accused of ploughing into pedestrians with stolen truck after taking several doses of hallucinogenic drug

A YouTube software engineer has been charged with multiple counts of attempted murder after taking LSD and ramming a stolen truck into strangers, according to police in northern California.

Betai Koffi, 32, hurt eight people during a violent rampage after becoming “delusional” on the hallucinogenic drug, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said.

Sergeant Spencer Crum said the tech worker initially lashed out at friends during Fourth of July celebrations at a rented home in Bodega Bay. Mr Koffi allegedly punched a woman in the chest, stabbed a man with a pencil, choked another man, and then punched a third man in the face.

After driving off from the party in a rented car at about 8pm, the San Francisco resident is said to have stabbed a security guard in the chest with the sharp end of a garden light.

Mr Koffi then stole the security guard’s truck and drove into pedestrians out walking in the Pacific coast town, hitting three people and causing significant injuries to two women, police said.

The frenzy finally came to an end when a sheriff’s deputy shot Koffi through the windscreen of the vehicle, leaving him critically wounded.

“Koffi and the first woman hit by the truck were flown by helicopters to nearby hospitals and treated for their injuries,” said Mr Crum in a statement. “The woman received significant injuries that are not expected to be life threatening.”

The police sergeant added: “The security guard and second woman hit by the truck were transported to a local hospital by ground ambulance and are expected to survive their injuries. Koffi received major injuries and is currently in critical condition.”

The 32-year-old was identified by his LinkedIn profile as a YouTube software engineer.

Mr Crum said he initially took two doses of acid around noon on 4 July.

"At approximately 3pm Koffi became delusional around the home while his friends tried to keep him calm,” said the police sergeant said.

He added: “Between 4pm and 5pm, he took two more doses of LSD. Shortly before 8pm Koffi wanted to leave but his friends tried to stop him.”

He is under arrest in hospital on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault with a deadly weapon, and one charge of carjacking.

“Koffi’s friends at the rented home were able to treat their own injuries and did not require hospitalisation,” said Mr Crum.

Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office identified the police deputy who shot the suspect as Jason Pasero. Police said the officer fired at Mr Koffi after he accelerated towards two patrol cars.

The sheriff’s office is investigating the alleged assaults and events leading up to the shooting, while Santa Rosa Police and the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office are investigating the shooting.