A police car with lights flashing. (JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty Images)
A man with a gun hijacked an ambulance, which carried a hospital patient and two Houston Fire EMTs. According to reports, 43-year-old Brandon Warren allegedly forced the driver out onto the street on Friday and drove off with the other emergency worker and patient still inside.
Authorities reported both EMTs called for help while police used GPS to track down the runaway vehicle.
“Our firefighters, EMT and paramedics, we’re all cross trained,” stated Marty Lancton, President of Houston Fire Union. “We’re out there everyday making emergency calls on everyone’s worst day.”
A 10-year veteran EMT was in the back with the patient when Warren pointed the gun at her. Houston Fire Department Chief Samuel Pena mentioned her handling of the situation was incredible.
“She did an outstanding job throughout the entire incident. She remained focus,” Pena explained. “She remained focus on the patients needs at the same time having an armed individual in the ambulance.”
UPDATE: Suspect Brandon Warren (b/m, 43) is charged with:
1) aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
2) aggravated kidnapping
3) aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon
4) felony evading arrestAll are filed in the 248th State District Court.#hounews https://t.co/slNM1UTGk3 pic.twitter.com/6N6mGcJgW9
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) July 23, 2021
Warren has been charged with aggregated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and felony evading arrest.
Pena went on to say, “it’s not acceptable for our firefighters and EMTs to be assaulted when what their purpose is to make a positive impact in this community and go out and help people in need.”
The motive for the crime is still unknown, but Warren was suspected to have been on drugs when he surrendered peacefully and was later taken to the hospital.
“This could have been vastly different and we’re here for the community,” Lancton expressed. “We respond to the community and I couldn’t be more proud.”
Luckily, no one was harmed in the incident.
Source: One America News Network
