Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown denounced the “cowardly attacks on our brave first responders” after firefighters were reportedly targeted Tuesday night in a drive-by shooting.
Five or six firefighters were outside of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Station 28 pumping gas at the city gas pumps next to the station at the time of the shooting, according to a local CBS affiliate.
A firefighter was grazed in the arm by a ricochet bullet, but no one was seriously injured. A ladder truck also had a small indentation from what appeared to be a bullet, the station reported.
The Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters said in a Facebook post: “Tonight- Jacksonville Firefighters took fire directed at them in a drive by shooting off of Hogan Rd. One FF was grazed in the arm but not life threatening. Remember their families in their prayers and remember all our JFRD Firefighters and JSO Police officers who are out their working hard for you keeping you healthy and safe.”
Mayor Alvin Brown said in a statement on his Facebook page that these “cowardly attacks” on first responders “will not be tolerated.”
“As Mayor, I will do everything in my power to protect the firefighters and police officers who work so hard to keep us safe,” he said. “We will coordinate with the Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and others to safeguard our dedicated fire and police personnel. They deserve no less.”
The firefighters who were outside during the shooting were not able to get a good look at the suspect vehicle, the CBS affiliate reported.
Lt. Jackson Short of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer said JSO believes the firefighters were targeted because they were in a well-lit area and clearly dressed in uniform. Lt. Short also said there is no reason to believe the drive-by is connected to what’s happening elsewhere in the country, the station reported.
The incident follows a violent week for law enforcement officers. On Saturday, two New York City cops were shot execution-style as they sat in their patrol car in Brooklyn.
On Sunday morning, a Florida police officer, who formerly served with the NYPD, died after being shot and run over by a fleeing suspect.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.