BREAKING: Arkansas Firefighter Shot, Killed on Medical Call — Lt. Jason Adams May Have Been Mistaken for Intruder
UPDATE: Homeowner charged with manslaughter in shooting death of firefighter
A member of the East Pulaski Volunteer Fire Department in Arkansas was killed early this morning after being shot by a victim at the scene of a reported medical emergency, according to local media. He may have been mistaken for an intruder by a seizure victim.
Lt. Jason Adams, 29, was a five year member of the Sherwood Fire Department but responding as a member of the East Pulaski County VFD, KATV’s Jason Pederson reported. He lived just a half mile from the medical call and may have been the only responder on the scene.
The suspect, identified by KATV as Greg Pruitt, is being questioned by police, but no charges have been filed. A neighbor, Tommy Noblett, was interviewed by local television and said “[Pruitt] woke up … a man was in his doorway and he shot him.”
The victim’s wife reportedly called 911 and told Noblett that the victim came out of the seizure and “looked up … grabbed the gun and shot him,” he said in the TV interview. This version of events has not been confirmed by law enforcement, who are still investigating.
Local media showed photos of Adams’ POV still running outside the home hours later. Initial reports indicate he may have been the only responder on the scene initially when the shooting occurred. Local media reported that Norblett and the victim’s wife started to render aid to Adams before other help arrived. Adams was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Last year, Adams was quoted in a local television report about the critical need for volunteer first responders in the area.
Pulaski Co. Crime Scene unit currently processing scene where 29 year-old Lt. Jason Adams was shot, killed. #KATV7 pic.twitter.com/BFzrokQe5i
— Jason Pederson (@KATVJason) January 22, 2016
Lt. Jason Adams, 29, lived .5 mile away from his final call. His mailbox evidence of his fireman’s pride. #KATV7 pic.twitter.com/FUOn9zmQLf
— Jason Pederson (@KATVJason) January 22, 2016
Pictures coming in from east Pulaski County from the fatal firefighter shooting. #ARnews pic.twitter.com/P1fiJ7Cn2n
— Greg Yarbrough (@GregYarbrough) January 22, 2016
Friend says Mark Pruitt came out of seizure…thought first responder was intruder. Shot, killed him. #KATV7 pic.twitter.com/8rYUwhvtaH
— Jason Pederson (@KATVJason) January 22, 2016
On scene gathering info about an early morning shooting in which a VFD member was killed. #KATV7 pic.twitter.com/3YUxJGSUqP
— Jason Pederson (@KATVJason) January 22, 2016
