Canyon Lake man tries to murder mother with hacksaw

A Canyon Lake man faces an attempted murder charge after he allegedly tried to kill his mother with a hacksaw, authorities said.

Mark Vermillion, 61, of Canyon Lake called the Sheriff’s Department dispatcher on Thursday, saying he had just used a hacksaw in an attempt to murder his mother. Officers responded at 5:18 p.m. on South Fork Drive and located the woman in a bedroom with half of her right foot severed, according to a Sheriff’s Department news release.

Deputies performed life-saving measures and the victim was transported to Inland Valley Medical Center, where she is listed in stable condition. Vermillion was detained at the scene.

Detectives served a search warrant at the location and located a possible note left by the suspect. Vermillion was booked at Cois Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta on charges of attempted murder, mayhem and elder abuse. Bail was set at $1 million.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact Investigator Andrade at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station, 951-245-3300.