A unknown gunman ambushed four volunteer firefighters who responded to a house fire early Monday morning in West Webster, N.Y., killing two and seriously injuring two others, along with an off-duty police officer. Someone shot at firefighters around 6 a.m. Monday when they arrived at the scene of the blaze.
According to fire officials, the threat presented by the gunman in Webster was eliminated. They believe he died as a result of a gunshot, but did not specify whether or not the wound was self-inflicted.
Police have not released the gunman's identity.
They say the incident appears to have been a trap, although they cautioned that they are in the early stages of the investigation.
Officials confirmed that police exchanged gunfire with a person when they responded to the scene.
One of the volunteer firefighters Mike Chiapperini, who was killed was also a member of the Webster Police Department.
The other firefighter was Tomasz Kaczowka, a 911 dispatcher.
The alleged assailant, who also died, apparently took aim at the firefighters as they arrived at an early morning house and vehicle fire in the Rochester-area town of Webster, Police Chief Gerald Pickering said.
Pickering said two of the firefighters who were shot died at the scene. The two injured firefighters were hospitalized in intensive care, officials said. An off-duty police officer passing by the area also sustained shrapnel wounds, Pickering said.
Authorities did not immediately identify the suspect, who Pickering said was found dead at the scene.
"It does appear that it was a trap that was set," said Pickering, who choked back tears as he talked about the firefighters who were killed. One was also a police lieutenant with about 20 years on the force.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo described the Webster shooting as horrific and senseless.
"Volunteer firefighters and police officers were injured and two were taken from us as they once again answered the call of duty," he said in a statement.
Gunman dead after killing 2 firefighters, 3 others wounded at scene of blaze near Rochester
(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)
