The Pennsylvania man accused of fatally stabbing a doctor this week once told police he was King Tut while racing across a Florida parking lot, according to body-camera footage.
Elijah Hemingway, 32, is charged in the death of Dr. Idris Evans after allegedly entering the physician’s home Thursday. In footage obtained by WPXI, Hemingway can be heard declaring, “I am King Tutankhamun,” while jumping over cars in Daytona and insisting that he did not intend to hurt anyone.
A Florida officer asked Hemingway during the encounter whether he had thoughts of harming himself or anyone else, the video shows.
“No, I am a spirit. I am not a physical being,” Hemingway replied.
He went on to say that he was the reincarnation of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh.
Authorities say six of Hemingway’s 22 prior criminal charges were connected to two separate incidents involving police and a girlfriend. Three charges arose from the chaotic parking-lot episode, while three others involved allegations that he assaulted his partner.
Court records obtained by The Post show that Hemingway was arrested in July on burglary and theft allegations tied to a separate home break-in in February. He was released only hours later on non-monetary bail.
Authorities allege that Hemingway later entered Evans’ home Thursday and attacked the family with a knife, killing the pediatric critical care physician and seriously injuring his wife.
Gina Evans told police that Hemingway appeared “psychotic” when he entered the Allegheny County residence shortly after 12:30 a.m. She said he was wearing only underwear and shouting about God and “being God.”
The couple attempted to defend themselves, and Gina Evans shouted “Elijah” during the attack, suggesting she recognized him, according to court documents cited by WPXI. She also witnessed the fatal stabbing of her husband.
Hemingway told investigators that he had been invited inside, but officials were unable to confirm that account. He also could not explain how he knew Evans.
The couple’s children, ages 8 and 12, fled to a neighbor’s house after their mother instructed them to get away.
Hemingway remained hospitalized Friday at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh.
Evans served as a physician and co-medical director of the Pediatric Transport Team at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. He was also an assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, according to his online biography.
“The UPMC and University of Pittsburgh community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Dr. Idris Evans, a pediatric critical care physician at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh and an assistant professor of critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh,” UPMC said in a statement to WPXI.
