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Police search for teens who shot a fire SUV early Saturday morning

289 views · Published 21 June 2018 · 2:15 · Indexed 25 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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CINCINNATI- Cincinnati Police said a group of teens opened fire on a district fire chief in his marked fire vehicle.

The incident started as a mistake call for an overturned car near Beekman and Millcreek.

"Somebody had driven past and called in [that] a vehicle had overturned. Which was actually one of ours from the training facility," Tom Lakamp, the Assistant Chief of Operations for the Cincinnati Fire Department said.

The scene was cleared quickly and the fire chief turned onto Beekman to go back to the station.

"He heard multiple gun shots and then multiple gun shots again and then the 'thud' in the back of the vehicle," Lakamp said.

That 'thud' was a bullet hitting the SUV. The bullet pierced the metal but police don't think it made it into the vehicle because they couldn't find the slug.

Luckily, the chief wasn't hurt.

"I don't want to say he took it in stride, but he took it in stride and worked the rest of the tour," Lakamp said.

Lakamp has been with the department for 30 years. He said this isn't the first time someone has taken aim at a Cincinnati firefighter.

"We've had several vehicles shot at. We actually had a firefighter's helmit hit with a bullet on a fire ground several years ago as well. But yeah, it has been increasing over the past 5-10 years," Lakamp said.

Bulletproof vests are now a part of the everyday uniform for fire fighters.

"Which is a truly sad statement. I never thought that was going to be the case 30 years ago," Lakamp said.

The firefighters only wear them to certain high risk calls though.

"Driving back to the firehouse after an entrapment run is not one of them," Lakamp said.

Firefighters will be getting some help from police the next time they get a call in that same area. They will have a police response with them for any call after dark.

"We still have a job to do and we can't be deterred from that," Lakamp said.

Cincinnati Police are asking anyone with information about this crime or suspect is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 513.352.3040, or you can submit a tip online at TIP411.com. You may remain anonymous and may receive compensation for your information.

In this case, information that results in an arrest can lead to a $1,000.00 reward.

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