The shooter has not been named but he is a veteran firefighter who was described as a ‘disgruntled employee’.
He opened fire at Fire Station 81 in Santa Clarita on Tuesday at 10.55am, killing a 44-year-old firefighter engineer, and wounding a 54-year-old fire captain.
It’s unclear when he left the fire department or why. Neither the victim nor the injured firefighter has been named.
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An emotional LA County fire chief Daryl Osby told reporters: ‘When I received the news it was some of the worst news I’ve heard in my career.
‘As a fire chief, I have dealt with a lot of death, and a lot of fallen members of my department. I’ve always prayed that we would never have a line of duty death. I never thought that if it occurred it would occur in this fashion.’
The firefighter who was shot dead was a 20-year veteran of the fire department, and was married with a son, the chief revealed. He was described as ‘truly dedicated’ to his role.
The wounded fire captain was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and remains in a critical but stable condition.
The home which was set on fire is registered to a 45-year-old California man, but it’s unclear if that man lives in the property or rents it out.
The Los Angeles Times said the owner is a veteran firefighter, but police have not confirmed that. Records indicate it was sold in July.
There is no indication that anyone else was inside when it was set on fire.
