By Laura French
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — A Virginia firefighter-paramedic accused of assaulting a patient in an ambulance in September has been found not guilty by a judge.
Fairfax County Firefighter-Paramedic Andrew Cruikshank had been arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault following a Sept. 14 incident involving a patient in police custody, according to NBC Washington.
Police body camera footage of the incident appears to show Cruikshank throw a swab on the patient after the patient threatened to kill him, and then appears to show the patient spitting on the firefighter and the firefighter striking him.
Cruikshank’s lawyer argued that his client had acted in self-defense after the patient reportedly hit him. The patient did not testify in the case.
Cruikshank was placed on administrative leave following his arrest but his attorney says he is hopeful that he will be returning to his job following his acquittal.