JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said it has arrested four firefighters with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) who are accused of targeting multiple vehicles, including a JSO patrol car, with paintballs.
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Investigators said the incidents seemed to stem from an ongoing “prank war” that was occurring between fire stations, and the four firefighters involved were reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation by JFRD.
The four firefighters also face misdemeanor criminal mischief charges, police said.
On Dec. 29, a police officer was located in the LaVilla neighborhood when he noticed multiple green paint splatters on his marked patrol vehicle. Police said that a civilian reported that their vehicle was also struck similarly.
JSO said that when officers responded, they discovered more green paint splatters on an I-95 traffic sign, a “one-way” sign, a dumpster, and an abandoned structure.
Officers also said they observed firefighters quickly entering a nearby fire station and closing the bay doors.
Further investigative efforts led police to find 14 red and green paintballs on the roof of a nearby fire station, along with some used paintball shells in the station’s driveway.
On Thursday, police identified the four firefighters believed to be responsible for the incident as:
- Landon T. Simmons, 30, engineer
- Wesley P. Parker, 32, engineer
- Tristen C. Harrison, 25, engineer
- Colby B. Lesage, 23, firefighter
“JSO maintains a strong public safety partnership with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. This incident does not change our commitment to protecting the citizens and visitors of Jacksonville,” JSO said on social media.
JSO said Sheriff T.K. Waters and JFRD Chief Percy Golden Jr. have addressed the matter.