A Lauderhill (Broward County, FL near Fort Lauderdale) fire rescue has been left damaged after someone shot at it while crews responded to a call. A Firefighter Paramedic saw the gunman, and it turned into quite a scare for the first responders.
On Friday, the crew of Rescue 30 of Lauderhill Fire Rescue’s fire truck was en route to help a person who was suffering chest pains when it was shot multiple times in the area of Northwest 19th Street and 31st Avenue.
Three Firefighter Paramedics were said to have been inside the truck at the time of the shooting.
“They saw someone aiming a gun at their truck and began shooting at their truck,” said Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Jeff Levy.
According to authorities, the damage the truck sustained was to the engine compartment, near the radiator.
Lauderhill Police said fire rescue had just turned west on Northwest 19th Street from 31st Avenue when the paramedics on board spotted a heavy set man open fire on the them.
“We’re being shot at at Northwest 19th Street and Northwest 33rd Avenue,” said one of the paramedics over a radio transmission captured on Broadcastify.
According to Levy, the person who they were en route to, at 4200 NW 19th St., wasn’t able to get the swift response they needed.
“Unfortunately, the person they were responding to, that was experiencing chest pain, it was a delayed response because we had to call for another ambulance to respond to that call, so hopefully that person is gonna be OK, and again just thankful the crew is OK. My primary concern is that they were OK,” he said.
After the shooting, Rescue 30 went to a fire station and called police. It has since been towed away as evidence.
Though those who were in the truck were not injured, Levy said they were left shaken up by the incident.
Police are now searching for the gunman.
“Why were they targeted?” said Levy. “Why did the person shoot the truck? Um, and again, at the end of the day, we’re just thankful that the crew is OK and nobody was injured.”
If you have any information on who shot at this fire rescue truck, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.