By Mark Price
Belleville News-Democrat
HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. 鈥� A team of first responders suddenly came under attack when their patient pulled a gun, chased after them and then tried to take their fire truck, according to investigators in Florida.
The attack happened at about 10:30 a.m. Sunday, June 22, at a home in Ridge Manor, about a 50-mile drive north from Tampa, the Hernando County Sheriff鈥檚 Office said in a news release.
Hernando County Fire Rescue responded to help 鈥渁 74-year-old man, who was extremely intoxicated, had fallen and was unable to get up,鈥� the sheriff鈥檚 office said.
鈥淲hen paramedics arrived on scene and began to administer aid, the elderly man became combative. He then got up, retrieved a firearm and chased the first responders out of the home. Once outside, the man got into a fire truck and attempted to drive away with a first responder still inside.鈥�
Deputies arrived before the truck could be driven away 鈥渁nd were able to climb onto the fire truck and remove the man,鈥� officials said.
The man continued to resist and 鈥減unched a deputy鈥� before being taken into custody, officials said.
鈥淗e was then transported to an area hospital for evaluation,鈥� the sheriff鈥檚 office said. 鈥淥nce medically cleared the man will be charged with multiple counts of aggravated assault on a first responder, battery on a law enforcement officer, and armed burglary of a vehicle.鈥�
The man鈥檚 identity was not released.
Investigators did not report whether any first responders were injured during the incident.
