MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. (WPMI) Some first responders are going out on duty, wearing bullet proof vests. Two ambulances were shot, and Local 15 News learned an EMS substation was hit as well.
All of the incidents occurred in Citronelle. Initially police were investigating the shooting as a possible hunting accident. After the second ambulance was struck with a bullet, police are digging deeper.
When paramedics get an urgent call, they grab a trauma bag and stretcher. Now paramedics in Citronelle are grabbing bullet proof vests too.
This is EMS crews. This isn't police. This is EMS people that go out and assist people that are sick, hurting, dying, said Police Chief Shane Stringer. They dont arrest people. They dont put people in jail, and they're fearing for their safety to have to wear bullet proof vest.
Nearly a week ago, shots were fired at the EMS substation off Hwy 45 in Citronelle. Police said one bullet grazed a parked ambulance. The other went right through a glass window and into another wall.
One of the ambulance crew members was in the recliner in the building, and the bullet lodge in the wall less than a foot probably less than six or eight inches above his head, said Stringer. If he had been sitting up, the outcome could have been totally different.
Citronelle Police are still looking for those responsible. The bullet showed the shooter used a long range high powered rifle.
Chief Stringer said he originally thought the shooting was a hunting accident. His views quickly changed after bullets pierced another ambulance right off Hwy 45 just a few days later.
"My partner was the driver but I was in the back taking care of a patient. But I was more surprised than anything else, took me by surprise, took me a second to realize what just happened, said EMS Joshua Baxter.
Citronelle Police and Mobile County Sheriffs Office are investigating.
I dont understand it. These guys and girls are out here to help us, to help everyone, said Stringer. Why would someone want to hurt them?
No was injured.
Police said they have interviewed previous patients and EMS crews just to see if they had any issues or confrontations with anyone. Nothing came of those interviews according to Stringer.
If you have any information call Citronelle Police at Phone: (251) 866-5527 or the Mobile County Sheriffs Office at (251) 574-2423.
