Two Houston firefighters narrowly escaped a life-threatening situation after a man they were summoned to help allegedly pulled a gun on them, forcing them to jump from a second-story balcony. The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on Saturday at the Ashford Buena Vista Apartments in southwest Houston, according to ABC13.
Jaime Marquez, 23, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault against a public servant following the harrowing ordeal. Responding to a medical call, firefighters encountered Marquez who initially seemed confused and requested to retrieve a shirt from his room. Instead, he reportedly returned brandishing a loaded firearm and pointed it at the first responders, per ABC13. Houston police say the firefighters, fearing for their lives, had no choice but to flee by jumping off the second-floor balcony. One sustained injuries to his right arm, while the other suffered facial injuries.
In a statement obtained by the Houston Chronicle, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña expressed outrage over the incident, stating, "This deadly conduct against responders is outrageous and inexcusable!" The two firefighters were subsequently hospitalized and, as of Sunday afternoon, have been discharged with injuries not considered life-threatening.
During a news conference, Mayor John Whitmire and Houston Firefighters Union president Marty Lancton addressed the physical and emotional toll the event had on the responders. “Certainly, they’re shaken and realize what a close call they had. It just demonstrates again that we have a public safety issue in the city of Houston,” Whitmire said. Lancton revealed, "The biggest thing that they told me was that they were scared," according to ABC13. Marquez is currently detained with a bail set at $150,000 and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez took to the social media platform X, "As if firefighters don’t face enough risk. Our firefighters are there to protect, aid, and rescue citizens. And to hear that they are injured, it’s very troubling. There’s no cause for this. I pray the crew is well." Gonzalez stated.
As if firefighters don’t face enough risk. Our firefighters are there to protect, aid, and rescue citizens. And to hear that they are injured, it’s very troubling. There’s no cause for this. I pray the crew is well. Rt @FireChiefofHFD: https://t.co/gCO5uCX4jQ
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) January 28, 2024
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