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Ala. ambulance struck by gunfire during call

HEMSI medics were inside a home treating a patient when they heard gunshots

By William Thornton
al.com

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — HEMSI ambulance was shot multiple times this afternoon while first responders were inside a Huntsville home on a medical call.

HEMSI spokesman Don Webster said the ambulance arrived for a call on Beard Street at about 2:40 p.m. Thursday . While the two medics were inside the home with a patient, they heard shots outside.

“They were responding to a medical emergency,” Webster said. “They locked up, went inside, and were taking care of the situation when they heard shots fired outside, and they took cover, because they didn’t know if someone was firing on the house.”

The ambulance was damaged in the front and rear, and another ambulance had to be dispatched to the location. No one was injured.

“Did that person know there was nobody in the ambulance?” Webster said. “We don’t know.”

Webster said it is unclear how many shots were fired into the ambulance, which was rendered inoperative and was towed from the scene.

“We’re the first responders that help anybody, whether they’re right, wrong, good or bad,” Webster said. “We’re not law enforcement. Now I’ve one ambulance less in my fleet. It’s going to take a while to get repaired. It just hurts the community when something like this happens.”

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