Incidents of gun violence in the District have begun to touch even those entities typically held as sacrosanct by the unspoken rules of urban engagement. On Thursday afternoon, a D.C. fire truck, Truck Co. 13, found itself in the crossfire while traversing the intersection of Mount Olivet Road and Montello Avenue NE in Northeast D.C. As reported by FOX 5 DC, the crew, thankfully uninjured, discovered two bullet holes upon their return to their firehouse.
The situation unfolded around midday when the fire truck was not on a call, and gunfire erupted in the area. According to a spokesperson for D.C. Fire and EMS, the five firefighters on board quickly left the scene and contacted the city's 9-1-1 center, as noted in coverage by WJLA.
Further details from the WJLA report indicate that two other vehicles—a Cadillac Escalade and a Chrysler 300—were also hit during this incident. While it is a relief to report that no one was injured.
Authorities are actively investigating the shooting. The Metropolitan Police Department responded to the reports of gunfire and is leading the inquiry into the event, which has stirred unease among public safety personnel and residents alike. "The incident remains under investigation," DC News Now succinctly phrases the current status.
