By FireRescue1 Staff
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two firefighters are recovering after being slashed and stabbed by a patient Tuesday night.
News4Jax.com reported the incident took place after two firefighters responded to a call about a man experiencing back pain. The patient, later identified as Tony Harris, was reportedly calm while being loaded into the back of the rescue unit.
However, while on their way to UF Health Jacksonville, Harris got off the stretcher, grabbed a box cutter from Capt. Latorrence Norris’ pocket and slashed him multiple times in the upper chest and abdomen, according to the report.
The firefighter-engineer who was driving, Vinnie Harper, overheard the conversation and stopped the rescue unit. He climbed in the back and helped subdue Harris, but suffered a deep cut to his right thigh.
Harris’ motive for the stabbing, according to an arrest report, was related to something he overheard on the radio that made him irate. Both firefighters struggled with Harris until police arrived and took him into custody.
Norris, who also suffered a collapsed lung, was transported to the ER by a UF Health security guard in a golf cart. He is now awake, alert and in stable condition. Harper was treated and released overnight, according to the report.