| Editor’s note: Monday’s incident is just one of several shootings involving firefighters in recent months. Check out FireRescue1’s special feature, “Bulletproof vests – the next PPE for firefighters?” |
By Dave Statter
STATter911.com
WASHINGTON — A 26-year-old DC firefighter received a graze wound to his left arm after his crew was fired upon while answering a medical call Monday night.
Hakim Carroll is assigned to Engine 30, located at 50 49th Street, NE, a block away from the call in the 4800 block of East Capitol Street.
According to DC Fire & EMS Department spokesman Alan Etter, firefighters were trying to force entry into the apartment around 10:00 PM.
They had a report that a man in his late 50s was inside, possibly suffering a heart attack. That information came from the man’s brother who had been talking to him on the phone.
Police are looking into the possibility the man opened fire because he was confused and thought someone was breaking into his apartment to do him harm.
After the shooting, the man remain barricaded inside his apartment until he surrendered to DC police officers around 11:00 PM.
Hakim is described as having about two years on the job.
His father retired from DC Fire & EMS and he has a brother on the department. FF Hakim was treated and released from a local hospital.
In a press release, DC Fire & EMS Chief Dennis Rubin noted basic training in the department includes how to deal with violent patients.
According to Chief Rubin, “Danger presents itself to firefighters in more ways than burning buildings.”