Update 3:10 p.m.: The Los Angeles County Fire Department have confirmed that a 44-year-old male firefighter has died in the shooting. There was also a 54-year-old fire captain who was taken to Henry Mayo Newhall hospital in Valencia.

The hospitalized firefighter has been treated for all life-threatening injuries and is recovering.

“Today is truly a sad day and a tragic day for the Los Angeles County Fire Department,” Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby said. “It is with a heavy heart that I stand here and say that one of our firefighter specialists succumbed from his injuries. He was a brave, committed, loyal member of our department for over 20 years.”

Osby also said the suspected shooter was an off-duty firefighter who worked at the station. After fleeing the scene, the suspect returned to his house, barricaded himself and set the home on fire.

Lt. Brandon Dean of the Sheriff’s homicide bureau said the suspect was found dead in a small pool with a gunshot wound to the head.

“It appears to be self-inflected,” Dean said of the gunshot wound, although they could not yet confirm.

Original Story: Shots were fired at L.A. County Fire Station 81 in Agua Dulce this morning with the L.A. County Sheriff’s confirming at least one injury.

The shooting occurred at approximately 10:55 a.m., according to the L.A. County Fire Department and said they are working with law enforcement to gather more information.

“It is with heavy hearts that the LACoFD confirms that a tragic shooting occurred at approximately 10:55 a.m. today at FS 81 in Agua Dulce,” the LA County Fire Department wrote on Twitter. “The Dept. is still in the process of gathering additional information & are cooperating with law enf. throughout this ongoing incident.”

Aerial reports from KABC Los Angeles showed a person being airlifted and taken to a nearby hospital in Valencia, with reports that there may have been one firefighter shot and killed.

Supervisor Hilda Solis said all L.A. County buildings would fly the U.S. flag at half-staff in honor of the firefighter who was killed.

“My most sincerest condolences to the family of the firefighter who was tragically killed in today’s shooting at Fire Station 81 in Agua Dulce,” Solis said in a tweet. “My thoughts are with our LACoFD family. At my direction, flags will be flown half-staff at all County buildings.”

A possible suspect was tracked to a nearby home in the city of Acton, which caught fire. Palmdale Sheriff’s have asked people to avoid the Ben Spur road area as there was a “high volume of law enforcement presence.” The fire has been burning for at least one hour as L.A. County Fire has not immediately approached the burning building because of the possible threat from the suspect.

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the county’s 5th district, said she made her way to the fire station and will provide further information.

This post will be updated when more information is provided. 

 

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