By FireRescue1 Staff
PHOENIX — Two men have been arrested for their connection in the death of an off-duty firefighter-paramedic.
Firefighter-paramedic Luke Jones, 37, died of his injuries after being involved in an altercation outside a club Saturday night. Police said Jones was separated from a friend; when his friend found him, he transported Jones to the hospital.
Brandon Douglas Draper, 26, has been charged with second-degree murder, reported AZ Family. Timothy John Piegari, 42, was charged with hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence.
Police said Draper, a doorman for a club, pushed Jones to the ground and struck him several times. Piegari, a manager at the club, disconnected the club’s outside video surveillance equipment.
Sgt. Jonathan Howard said due to a pre-existing injury and an arm brace, Jones was restricted in his ability to defend himself. When Jones was taken to the hospital, fellow fire department members were also at the hospital transporting a patient, reported ABC15.
Daisy Mountain EMS Division Chief Dan Jarrett said Jones, a 12-year veteran, was well-known throughout the department and will be missed.
“He was a gentle guy, funny guy,” Jarrett said. “He’ll be missed tremendously. We can’t see where he would be in a situation to bring this on himself so we’re struggling to understand it.”
Jones leaves behind a wife and young daughter. A fundraising page has been created to help his family with financial costs.