Tennessee man slashes throat of 10-year-old boy playing video game in front of shocked family: 'Watch this'

Horrified by the gruesome act, the victim's grandfather and aunt held Sadler at gunpoint until the police arrived

UPDATED APR 22, 2020

Sammy Sadler (Lewis County Sheriff's Office)

LEWIS COUNTY, TENNESSEE: A Tennessee man has been accused of slashing the throat of his 10-year-old relative while the victim was playing video games.

The 10-year-old child been inside his home in rural Lewis County when he was allegedly attacked in a horrific manner by the man, who was his family member.

According to a Lewis County Sheriff's Office representative, 29-year-old Sammy Sadler had entered the boy's home and had approached him while telling others in the house to "watch this", Oxygen reports, before slashing his throat with a knife.

As reported by Tennessee River Valley News, family members shared that in response to the gruesome act, the child's grandfather and aunt held Sadler at gunpoint until the police arrived.

Sadler also allegedly threatened others during the incident. Upon arriving at the scene, the Lewis County deputies had done all they can to get Sadler to drop the knife but he refused and had to be tased, as a result. The child was taken into town to get an ambulance before being rushed to a local hospital.

He was later transferred to another hospital to be treated for his injuries. It has been reported that he is currently at the Vanderbilt Medical Center and is expected to survive and is currently in a stable condition.

The Lewis County Sheriff's Office revealed that Sadler was charged with attempt to commit criminal homicide, three counts of aggravated assault, child abuse, and resisting arrest.

As per a Facebook post by the Tennessee River Valley News, court documents reveal that Sadler has admitted to attacking the child. An anonymous family member also shared that the doctors had told them that the child was lucky to be alive. The doctor further shared that the knife had barely missed an artery. Sadler's bond has been set at $1.51 million and he is due to appear in Lewis County General Sessions Court on June 4, 2020.

Social media users were horrified at the crime and took to commenting and sending get well soon wishes for the young victim.

One user wrote, "Thank God he is ok praying," while another user added, "Prayers For This Little Fellow, for complete healing!" A third user commented, "Prayers for the boy and his family 🙏 but the animal that did this should get life without parole or death!! There is no excuse for his behavior."