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.
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.
News4JAX reporter Ariel Schiller noted visible signs of the “prank war” outside the LaVilla station, including paint splatters on signs and buildings.
Paintball splatters seen on a JFRD fire station in LaVilla (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)Paint splatters observed on the JFRD fire station in LaVilla (Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.)
The paintball gun used reportedly came from a Christmas “White Elephant” gift exchange.
According to the arrest reports, the firefighters initially used the paintball gun to shoot signs, but when it stopped working, they began throwing paintballs at each other.
Tom Hackney, News4JAX’s crime and safety analyst, commented on the situation, saying it erodes public trust.
“I know this is not the crime of the century. But it crossed the line, and I think both the sheriff and the fire chief both had to agree that it did,” Hackney said.
JSO said Sheriff T.K. Waters and JFRD Chief Percy Golden Jr. have addressed the matter.
Additionally, JFRD issued a statement saying it was made aware of the allegations by JSO on Dec. 29, 2025, and has fully cooperated with the investigation, emphasizing that the incident will have no impact on public safety or JFRD operations.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.