Jonathan Tatone identified as gunman in fire station shooting that killed 1, injured another
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - An off-duty firefighter opened fire Tuesday at Los Angeles County Fire Dept. Station 81 in the Agua Dulce area, killing a fellow firefighter and injuring another.
The gunman, later identified as 45-year-old Jonathan Tatone, then fled to his home in nearby Acton, barricaded himself inside, and set the house on fire before he was believed to have been found dead.
"I never thought one of our firefighters would face danger at one of our own community fire stations," said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby.
Firefighter specialist Tory Carlon, 44, was killed in the shooting. He was a twenty-year veteran of the department, Osby said.
"He was a brave, committed, loyal member of the fire department," the chief told reporters Tuesday afternoon.
Los Angeles County Fire Captain Arnie Sandoval was critically injured in the shooting. He was airlifted to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia with multiple gunshot wounds and underwent multiple surgeries. He is currently listed in critical but stable condition and is expected to survive. A GoFundMe has been set up for Sandoval.
Fire Captain Arnie Sandoval
Osby said Tatone, who was also a firefighter specialist, came to the fire station, located in the 8700 block of Sierra Highway, shortly before 11 a.m. Tuesday and shot the two victims.
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Sheriff's officials said when they responded to the fire station after the shooting, witnesses identified the suspect, who fled the firehouse in a white Toyota pickup. They followed Tatone to his home, located in the 2600 block of Bent Spur Drive in Acton.
Authorities said the gunman barricaded himself inside his home and allegedly set the house on fire.
Video from SkyFOX showed a body in the pool on the property of the house fire. Authorities later confirmed that the deceased individual is believed to be Tatone, who died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The fire completely destroyed the residence. After the home burnt to the ground, SWAT team members were able to move onto the scene.
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Osby said he cannot comment on whether there was any pending internal disciplinary action against Tatone. He also said he could not speak to a possible motive for the shooting.
"My heart is with our @LACOFD firefighters and the families of those affected," Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger wrote on Twitter.
Supervisor Hilda Solis ordered flags at all county buildings will be flown at half-staff.
"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 wrote.
Additional details were not immediately available.
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