A routine medical call in an Acworth Bojangles parking lot turned into a midweek shocker Wednesday night when police say a driver rammed a fire engine and threatened to shoot the firefighters on scene.
What police said
Officers arrested 26-year-old Tyler Washington after he allegedly threatened to shoot firefighters and "rammed his car into a fire engine that blocked him in during a medical call at an Acworth Bojangles," according to FOX 5 Atlanta. The outlet shared video of the confrontation and reported the arrest Wednesday night. The report did not list any charges or note any reported injuries.
Scene and response
Fire crews were already on a medical call in the restaurant parking lot when, according to officers, the fire engine was moved into position to block Washington's vehicle. Investigators say the driver then struck the engine. Authorities have not released additional details about damage to the fire apparatus or whether any firefighters were hurt while working the call.
Legal implications
Threatening emergency workers and using a vehicle against them can expose a person to obstruction and assault charges under Georgia law. O.C.G.A. § 16-10-24 makes it a crime to obstruct or hinder officers and allows for tougher penalties when violence is involved, according to Justia. Aggravated assault provisions in O.C.G.A. § 16-5-21 also increase penalties when a public safety worker is targeted, statutes prosecutors could consider depending on the evidence and any finding about intent, as outlined by Justia.
What’s next
Authorities booked Washington after the incident, and investigators are reviewing the case with prosecutors, according to FOX 5 Atlanta. Acworth police have not yet released charging documents or a full incident report. Formal information on charges typically becomes available through Cobb County jail records and the Acworth Police Department's public information office.
