'Hammer, Hammer' Says Target TV Smasher

A Chicago man has been charged with assault and property damage for smashing TVs and cameras inside a Winona, Minnesota Target store on Saturday while saying "hammer" repeatedly in a monotone voice.

Jerome Charles Eberle, 39, is charged with first-degree property damage, disorderly conduct, two counts of assault of a police officer and obstruction of justice.

According to police, officers responded to the Target store around 5:15 p.m. Saturday to find customers fleeing the store and Eberle holding a hammer with blood on his face.

A shopper reported seeing Eberle smashing TVs while saying "hammer" in a monotone. Another witness said Eberle was "walking like Frankenstein."
Eberle led police on a chase through the store, taking swings at officers with the hammer. Officers needed to use a Taser to take him into custody.

Eberle was taken to Winona Health for a mental evaluation over the weekend. When questioned by police, he said he only remembered parts of the incident inside Target.