JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Action News Jax Ben Becker has learned that another Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department firefighter is on administrative leave as part of the Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office criminal investigation into a paintball \u201cprank war\u201d that led to multiple arrests.<\/p>\n
The unnamed firefighter was placed on leave on January 22, according to JFRD, as investigators work to determine what role, if any, they played in the December incident near JFRD Station 4 in LaVilla, near Downtown Jacksonville. Four firefighters from that station were already arrested Friday on misdemeanor<\/a> criminal mischief charges after investigators determined paintball guns were fired at property, civilians, and a marked JSO patrol vehicle. Originally, JFRD told Becker six firefighters were implicated, but it was later determined one was not involved. <\/p>\n Action News Jax first reported Friday that the arrested firefighters were:<\/p>\n The arrests came three weeks after Becker first learned of the incident and one day after Becker sat down with Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters to ask about the investigation. The arrest report shows JSO\u2019s integrity team made their first visit to Fire Station 4 on Thursday. It\u2019s not clear if that was before, after, or even during Becker\u2019s interview with the sheriff. The arrest reports state firefighters claim they received the paintball guns as part of a Christmas \u201cWhite Elephant\u201d gift exchange.<\/p>\n Sheriff: Incident was \u201csilly\u201d and out of character<\/b><\/p>\n Sheriff Waters said he was surprised by the allegations, calling the behavior out of character for JFRD.<\/p>\n \u201cIt didn\u2019t blow me away. I felt like it\u2019s pretty silly. And you wouldn\u2019t expect that to happen from that organization,\u201d Waters said.<\/p>\n Waters also emphasized that the incident has not damaged the working relationship between the two agencies.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not at odds with JFRD. Never happened. Never will be – other than guns and hoses. And that\u2019s fine. But we\u2019re partner agencies. We work together all the time, and we\u2019ll continue to do that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Action News Jax has reached out to JSO to ask whether additional arrests are expected and is awaiting a response.<\/p>\n Civilian says he thought he was under attack<\/b><\/p>\n The investigation began after William Sousa reported that his car was struck multiple times by paintballs while he was stopped at a red light near North Jefferson and West Duval streets in late December.<\/p>\n \u201cI heard the first few thuds hit my car and I thought, \u2018What the hell is going on?\u2019\u201d Sousa told Becker in a phone interview.<\/p>\n Police reports confirm Sousa\u2019s vehicle was hit four to five times. A marked JSO patrol vehicle was also struck, along with nearby signs, dumpsters, and roadway surfaces.<\/p>\n Investigators determined the damage was consistent with a high-velocity paintball gun, and the angle of impact suggested the shots came from above.<\/p>\n Investigators point to Station 4<\/b><\/p>\n According to police reports, the tallest occupied structure in the area was JFRD Station 4, home to the department\u2019s elite Special Operations unit. Investigators later found 14 red and green paintballs on the station\u2019s roof, which police said could only be accessed from inside the building.<\/p>\n When officers attempted to investigate, firefighters closed the bay doors. Once inside, firefighters were mirandized, questioned, and denied involvement, suggesting another station may have been responsible as part of a \u201cprank war.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite those findings, no arrests were made initially.<\/p>\n Questions raised over delayed arrests<\/b><\/p>\n Becker pressed Sheriff Waters about why no one was arrested sooner. Initially, a JSO spokesperson told Becker via email the case had been closed, stating investigators could not identify a suspect and that no victims wished to pursue charges.<\/p>\n However, after Becker submitted public records requests, JSO later emailed back stating that the case had been reopened by the Integrity Unit \u201cat the request of their chain of command.\u201d Waters has insisted the case was never truly closed.<\/p>\n When asked whether JFRD received special treatment, Waters said, \u201cNo, I don\u2019t give my own officers special treatment,\u201d later adding, \u201cStay tuned.\u201d<\/p>\n JFRD responds<\/b><\/p>\n JFRD released a statement Friday, saying the four firefighters have been reassigned to administrative duties pending an internal investigation.<\/p>\n The department said it was notified by JSO on December 29, cooperated fully with the investigation, and emphasized the incident does not impact public safety or department operations.<\/p>\n \u201cWe value the trust the community places in our department as first responders, and we are committed to the highest standards of conduct and accountability,\u201d the statement read.<\/p>\n Victim still seeking accountability<\/b><\/p>\n Sousa said he never initially planned to press charges but wants answers.<\/p>\n \u201cI definitely wanted to know who did it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Action News Jax continues to request 911 calls, radio transmissions, and photographs related to the incident. JSO says those records will not be released until the investigation is officially closed.<\/p>\n >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n [DOWNLOAD: <\/b>Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks<\/b><\/a>]<\/b><\/p>\n\n