By Bill Carey
2 February 2022
The death of Stockton Captain Vidal Fortuna while at a dumpster fire is the most recent in the category of violence. The United States Fire Administration records 28 on-duty deaths under violence since 1990. Here is a look at the last 10 years.
24 December 2012, New York
A gunman has set fire to a vehicle, which extended to a house, and ambushed firefighters and police officers when they arrived. Two Webster firefighters were killed. Two other firefighters and a police officer were wounded.
14 February 2013, Oklahoma
A Strother firefighter and captain were involved in an altercation inside the firehouse that led to the captain being punched repeatedly in the face. The captain fell and received a head injury. He later died at a hospital.
22 January 2016, Arkansas
An East Pulaski County Fire Department lieutenant was fatally shot during an EMS call by a patient under the influence of illegal drugs.
15 April 2016, Maryland
A Prince George’s County firefighter/paramedic was fatally shot by a patient during a welfare check, after firefighters forced entry into the home.
25 June 2018, California
A Long Beach captain was fatally shot while inside a residential building fire. The gunman had created an explosion and subsequent fire.
15 May 2019, Wisconsin
An Appleton firefighter was fatally shot by a patient being treated for a drug overdose.
16 October 2020, Texas
A Houston fire investigator was fatally shot while surveilling an arson suspect.
1 June 2021, California
A Los Angeles County firefighter was shot and killed by an off-duty firefighter at his firehouse.
31 January 2022, California
A Stockton fire captain was fatally shot while at the scene of a dumpster fire.
Photograph courtesy of Unsplash.
Data Not Drama 