Armed S.C. Firefighters Detain Man Who Fired Shots in Station Lot
Source Firehouse.com News
A man who fired shots in a South Carolina fire station parking lot crowded with children was subdued by armed firefighters.
Chad Barker got out of his car in the parking lot of New Holland Fire Department and started firing into the air and at his vehicle, according to WISTV.
He also is accused pointing the gun at individual firefighters for lengthy periods of time.
"I came out of the office, saw the man with the gun, told everybody to leave out the back quickly that there was a man in the parking lot with a gun, and I was not kidding,” Firefighter Gary Knoll told reporters.
Knoll and another firefighter, who have concealed weapons permits, pulled their own guns on the man, who returned to his vehicle.
The firefighters convinced Barker to put the gun down, and Knoll grabbed it, the station reported.
They detained Barker, who then began beating his head on the ground, until deputies arrived.
Barker has been charged with two counts of pointing and presenting a firearm.
Knoll said he is relieved no one was injured, adding that the law that allows he and other firefighters to carry guns made the difference.