Escambia EMT Arrested For Reporting Fake Shooting
February 10, 2011
An Escambia County paramedic, who claimed to have been shot by an unknown male, was arrested Thursday afternoon and charged with making a false report.
The arrest of Brandon Richie arrest came after he admitted to investigators Wednesday that the wound was self-inflicted. Richie, 28, was released from the Escambia County Jail on $1,000 bond.
Shortly after the arrest, Escambia County Administrator Randy Oliver announced that Richie was suspended, effective Thursday, from Escambia County EMS. He will remain on suspension without pay pending the outcome of his case.
Richie also faces disciplinary action for having a firearm on county property and termination, according a media release from Sonya Daniel, the county’s public information manager.
On January 28 at around 9:03 p.m. deputies responded to the 1100 block of W. Hayes Street for an emergency assistance call from an EMS unit. When deputies arrived they discovered Richie had been shot in the shoulder.
Richie told deputies that he was retrieving an item from a bag located inside his ambulance when someone tapped him on the back. As he turned around he was shot.
The incident occurred at an EMS staging post, just blocks from Baptist Hospital. One of the responding deputies rushed the injured medic to the Baptist Hospital emergency room in a cruiser.
Richie was released from the hospital on Saturday, January 30.
“After an in-depth investigation we determined that Richie’s story was just not adding up. He came in today on his own free will and admitted that the he shot himself and that the story was a made up,” said Sheriff’s spokesperson Deputy Chris Welborn.
Investigators are applying for an arrest warrant on Richie for false reports to law enforcement authorities.
The Sheriff’s Office is not releasing any other details.
Pictured: An Escambia County EMS medic claimed to be shot January 28 on Hayes Street in Pensacola. Photos courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
95 Responses to “Escambia EMT Arrested For Reporting Fake Shooting”
Actually old soldier it WILL check spanish and hawaiian.
All you have to do is go into your first icon at the the bottom of the computer
and go into your settings and change to those languages and then when
you spell check it will be spellchecking the language thats checked for word
spellings. Then go back into there after posting in another language and
change back into english and walla, your right back on track.
That change in language on the computer is how you talk to people in
other countries if you want to also.
Mahalo to you too.
Muchas gracias, Mahalo & Thank you!
The google tool bar downloaded easy, and it seems to work well. Though it doesn’t seem to check Spanish or Hawai’ian…
Old soldier Do you have a search engine that you are using?
If you have a space at the top of the page to type things in and have things
of the nature that you typed in pop up to choose, then that is your search
engine.
In that space type this:
Google tool bar download?
There will be several that will pop up. This download will be free and
it will be self explanatory. On the Google tool bar when it comes up
there WILL be a lot of things that you can use and one of them will
be a Spell check. It will just say check and when you write something
all you have to do it click it and it will check all the spellings in your post
and then you can correct any mistakes after you click on the words
that it highlights after you unclick on the the spell checker at the top of
the page on the google bar.
Sounds hard but it’s not. I just may not be the easiest teacher in writing,
but If this old poop can do it, so can anyone. LOL
Good Luck.
Geesh $1000.00 bond for all the commotion he created . Knowing how things work he will be back on the bus and back teaching other medics…God help us!
I’m using Internet Explorer and can’t find it anywhere…any ideas? Apologies for sidetracking here…mea culpa!
Just An Old Soldier, if you’re using Foxfire> Tools > Options > Advanced, and Check “check my spelling as I type”.
besides, there’s the problem with there’s, theirs, they’re, there, their, cite, sight, site, you’re, your.
Spell checks simply can’t read your/you’re minds (yet) and thus, don’t know which/witch was intended.
your: what you own
you’re: you are
there: yonder, not here
they’re: they are
their: what the own
own: posess
on: atop, not under or beside
here: not there, at this spot
hear: What’d you say?
site: location
cite: refer to or charge with
sight: that which is seen
which: a choice
witch: double, double, toil and trouble, fire burn, cauldron bubble
I: subjective form of me (which is the objective form of I)
eye: that in which one would prefer to not be poked, what is used to see sights
aye: a vote in favor, half a reposnse to captain’s orders
EMT: emergency medical technican
EMP: electromagnetic pulse
ENT: ear, nose, throat, a medical specialty
I just thought I’d throw those in
in: not out
inn: where there was no room for Mary and Joseph
I can’t stop, let me just hit Submit Comment
Old Soldier
Mine is on the third line down from the top of my lap top but that is the
google tool bar which I down loaded so it would be there.
Hope that helps you, but it doesn’t mean I always use it. lol
Thanks, William – I’ll try to figure out how mine works… once I find out where it is!
To all whom I apparently upset. I was in NO way making an excuse for the actions of one paramedic. I however was addressing the generalized idea that “there is no excuse for one to act/react or lash out” in this manner. What manner or act I am referring to is intentionaly doing harm to yourself. The examples of stressful situations I gave were to a career mindset. NOT BRANDON’S or any one person. Those were stressors that I and many paramedics live with in their career. There are calls situations and events no matter how many prayers, pills drinks therapist you cry to, you can’t erase memories. People do reach a “boling point” and thats when dumb decesions usually are made. I am not saying noone outside public safety doesn’t have stress, we all do BUT as I described there are different stresses we encounter that we didn’t ask for. EMS has become more of an extension of home health a taxi service and mental health/crisis councel. Yes, I have had thoughts to hurt myself and yes, I can say this was a weak selfish moment but at that moment it was really what I felt or thought I felt. I am burned completely out. Have no compassion for situations but I do my job and deliver the best and most up to date care because that is who I am. I would love to leave the field, it has torn my shoulders destroyed my back and hips but honestly this is who I am. God chose this long before I was born and its what I do.
Again, I didn’t mean to upset anyone by my words/feelings. My intentions were not to belittle any of you but to try and open your eyes past this situation with Brandon and what he did to explain EMT’s and Paramedics are good people and sometimes we have bad things happen in our carrers but to not label us as bad or idiots and to understand thet the stresses we face are legit and can lead to very destructive or fatal behavior. In closing God bless each of you and please please, soften you hearts and minds to the men and women who wear a uniform. We all try to help each of you to the best of our ability and unfortunately sometimes that isn’t good enough.
>>I think everyone here tries to do as best they can without a built in “spellchecker” on this site
Every major browser has a built-in spell checker or offers one as download that will work on *any* website.
@JK – did you proof read _your_ comment? “What really bums me out _his_ how many…”
I think everyone here tries to do as best they can without a built in “spellchecker” on this site – as for me, I plead disability as I have lost a great deal of my sense of touch in my fingers, and sometimes they don’t quite work like I wish they would.
My apologies for that, broke my neck sometime back in the Service – I just count myself fortunate to be here. Thanking God for that.
I’ll endeavor to take better care with my spelling. That’s the best I can do.
What really bums me out his how many people try to make a lucid, intelligent point and then misspell so many words; It’s counterproductive to the rant/comment.
Well said hawghead.
Seems people are blaming their problems on anything except themselves and using it for an excuse to get away with all sorts of illegal acts. Right is right and wrong is wrong. I’m sure this loser knew, before he shot himself, it was wrong. Why else would he lie about it…….?
My grandpa used to say, “If you can’t stand the heat, step away from the fire.”
What makes a lot of you think that some of us don’t have stressful jobs where people’s lives are not in our hands. If your job is too stressful then go into another line of work. It’s that simple. So stop thinking that people who work in the emergency medical field are the only one’s who have to face stress each day. I’m not going to get into what I do for a living but I can tell you that people put their lives in my hands each and every day. So I do know alittle about that kind of stress. But if ever get to the point I can’t accept it anymore then I will quit and change fields. This guy is nothing more than an attention seeker. A drama queen and should not have been in this field to begin with. I’ve read all the comments from people who know him and said that he had problems but”"”"”"”"”" but what if he had problems then get him out of the field. Don’t they have screening process for the EMS field to weed out those who have “problems”? Yes the EMS field is a stressful job, no one will disagree with you. However it does not give anyone the right to commit this kind of act and think that they can get off because their job is stressful…
For all the judgers: that have never had a family member go through a crisis, who have nothing better to do other than to pass judgement on others. Walk in someone elses shoes, just one night, just one shift, just one call; you dont have the right! Unless you have! Unless you know what this person has seen, what they have been through, you dont have the right! So go back to your soap operas-they are on from 12-3, ABC, CBS, & NBC, and leave this family alone! They are a wonderful, giving, loving, and chrisitan family, and trying to overcome a crisis and trying to assist their loved one who obviously needs help! Your prayers would be more helpful in this time of need instead of wasting your precious time on criticism! We’re saying prayers for you!
I agree with you, Damon. And please know that people don’t judge all paramedics & EMT’s by what this guy did. You are appreciated.
This is for Damon you are spot on man. Well said indeed!!!
Lest my point be lost in my previous rant, let me be clear :
This person committed this act because he is an irresponsible, immature idiot – NOT BECAUSE OF ANY JOB STRESS. I would know – I am a paramedic and a firefighter/lieutenant. 15 years on the job in a metro-area department.
Drinking? Sure. Drugs? Maybe. Thrill-seeking? Of course. Any number of self-destructive behaviors could be chalked-up as a coping mechanism for stress, but you can’t tell me that this numbskull was using SHOOTING HIMSELF IN THE SHOULDER and lying about it as a coping mechanism? He is simply a product of his own ridiculously bad decision-making ability. He was dumb enough to break regulation and bring a firearm on county property – WHILE ON DUTY, NO LESS. THEN he was dumb enough to mishandle his firearm and shoot himself. THEN he was stupid enough to try and hide his embarrassing goof by making up a story for the police. HE WAS CAUGHT WITH HIS HAND IN THE COOKIE JAR, AND PLAYED THE PITY CARD WHEN HE GOT BUSTED. Trying to shift the blame, avoid accountability.
The fact that he WAS a paramedic is irrelevant.
What IS relevant is that he broke the law and has proven himself irresponsible and unworthy of the public’s trust – contraindicated in a public servant.
He is a disgrace to the professional community, and I hope that people can avoid judging the profession as a whole by the idiocy of this one loser. The EMS profession has a lot of good men and women who work everyday to earn the good reputation provided by those who have served before them. This guy besmirches that good reputation, and I hope he can find a way to become man enough to own this mistake – accept responsibility, and tell the truth.
This is for DAGB. I did not just say what I said I meant what I said. It is very apparent he is craving for attention and if he does not like his job then he needs to move on by whatever it takes to include education or whatever he has to do. Stop costing taxpayers their resources by doing something so selfish to get attention. It takes a lot of money to support the public services and everytime you have some one pull something like this it is wasting our resources and might I add tieing up officers and EMT’S when they could be needed else where. Just saying. What if it was you or some one you know having a medical emergency or some one was in need of the police and they were all tied up withthis guy because he is wanting attention. Not trying to argue what so ever but that is how I feel.
BB29
Your comment is true, but makes no sense in relation to your previous comment. Please give us another sharp example.
For those of you who are complaing about your job you should be happy you have a job. If you don’t like your job then get your education or go to trade school. Before you yell at me there are resourses out there to help you but you have to want to help yourself first. you are the one who has to take the first step thwe help is not going to come to you . You will have to go to it by searching it out. Just saying.
No Sandra they sure are not,
but then by the same turn we don’t see the feed bag slinger
lying about someone shooting him because his back gave out, his knees gave out, he has two torn shoulders from the stress of his work with the heavy bags lifting hay up into trucks all day and now he can’t work.
We would jump him just as fast for was
ting our dollars and our manpower
and making us all worry about him when it was all just a drama queen who
doesn’t know that EMT’s have stress of different kinds. DUH!
You know what people now days don’t realize is everyone has stress of
somekind. Sometimes it’s just watching our TAX DOLLARS GO HIGHER
AND HIGHER BECAUSE OF IDIOTS WHO ONLY THINK ABOUT THEMSELVES
AND THINK THEIR THE ONLY ONES WITH PROBLEMS.
The statement that “you chose this job so now deal with it” is rediculous. We all know that certain people choose certain jobs, that doesn’t change the fact that some jobs are indeed more stressful than others and have an extremely higher burnout rate. The mental strain on folks who choose to be cops, firemen and ambulance workers is not even on the same planet as say, someone who slings feed bags at the feedstore. These folks carry this mental baggage throughout their careers and most dont seek counciling when it gets unbearable. They have higher divorce rates and are generally on edge most of the time. So yes, they chose this job, but they dang sure didnt chose to be emotionally damaged by it or be the brunt of the semi-comedians that would demean them for being human.
DAGB:
I GET BEHIND A WHEEL EVERYDAY TO GO WORK IN A VEHICLE! I RISK MY LIFE EVERYDAY TO A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT! NEXT?
I am so sick of this “what we/they go thru in their jobs” crap. U make the decision to be what u want to be in life, no one made u, if it is so stressful, I say change your pression. That goes for police, EMT’s, soldiers, and my job as well. Really, u knew what the job intelled when you took it. No freaking excuse. Everyone has problems. It amazes me, depending on who ure what the comments are here. He/she needs help, they are a good person, yayaya. Everyone has a good qualities, but that does not stop “US” from making dumb decisons!!!!!!!!
Veternamedic:
I am a paramedic, and you people make me sick. If the job is too much for you, GET OUT and do something else. Boo Hoo, poor pitiful me, I have to do awful things… I get so sick of hearing that crap. You rarely do anything more than granny totes and non-emergent taxi rides. If you’re not prepared for the times when things are really bad, the don’t be a medic. Plain and simple. OOOOO, I know – GROW UP AND BE AN ADULT! This numbskull has no business being entrusted with a spatula, much less medical equipment and other peoples’ lives. This event is called KARMA – it’s a weeding out process, and it gets you eventually if you’re not staying sharp on your skills, managing your life appropriately, and being a responsible human being. Every time, without fail. For once in your life, be a man and take your medicine (heal thyself…?). We make our own beds… lie in it. No one is responsible for this guys idiocy but HIMSELF. If I want whiny, crybaby excuses I’ll call some junior high school girls and ask about Justin Beiber. Our discipline needs real leaders, not drama cheerleaders. Tell your pal to take his meds, accept responsibility, and learn from this. That is the only chance he has of salvaging himself as a human being. I hope he is able to find his way out of this… maybe prison will force him to grow up and see that grown up decisions come with grown up consequences… AND DON’T SCREW AROUND WITH OTHER PEOPLES’ LIVES, IDIOT!!!
Throw that fool in jail and forget about him! Give him about as much mercy as he would have given an addict on the street that would have been caught for shooting him . . . . NONE! Besides all the police hours lost for “real” crimes, think about all the people rounded up looking for the phantom shooter! He deserves no mercy!
Veteran
I don’t have to walk a mile in anyone’s shoes. Why don’t you and this
baby try walking a mile in mine.
Yet I don’t cost these tax payers or your tax dollars or even this babies
tax dollars over LIES AND CRY BABY STUFF LIKE GEE MY JOB IS SO
HARD.
THERE IS STRESS ON MOST JOBS, SOME MORE THAN OTHERS.
IF YOU HAVE CONSIDERED KILLING YOURSELF TRULY AS YOU
YOURSELF HAVE SAID THAN THIS IS MY ADVICE.
“QUIT”
IF YOU NEED THE MONEY, GO TO SCHOOL AT NIGHT AND RETRAIN
WHILE RETAINING THIS JOB, BUT FOR HEAVEN SAKES DON’T BE
STUPID
“QUIT”
AND don’t come one here and tell us just because you know this guy
that we don’t have a right to be angry and vent at him.
WE DO!
If this guy doesn’t lose his job entirely, he should
be reassigned. We don’t need a “nut job” like him
on the streets of Escambia County !
According to the man wearing a suit, sitting at the desk from Escambia EMS (on WEAR TV news at 5PM), he’s addicted to Loratab. Will this turn out to be another drug story?
yes he was married a few years ago. as far as i know he is not now. i know him he was a great person at the time. he was my son and law. i don’t know what happened and don’t care to know. as far as i am concerned his personal life is his own. i know that the dorvice was hard on both family’s . i wish everyone would leave him alone so that he get the help that he really needs. he was a great person when i new him and i know that he can be again. he need time to heal and get his life back together. i wish him and his family the best. . what is the saying don’t tell me what to do unless you have walked in my shoes. no body but some one who has been in his place can know what he has been through.
BB299
Do a little research on the number one cause of death for emergency personnel.
Its not fire or the dangerous criminals, try traffic accident’s. So tell us how EMS personnel don’t risk their lives everyday.
Has anyone considered that we’re dealing with a boy that cried wolf here.
His first story was stupid and his second is even more stupid.
When I saw the first post about this, I thought to myself, why would a man walk up and shoot a paramedic for no reason and risk life in prison or the death penalty.
My thoughts then were that he was making up the story to keep whoever shot him from being revealed.
It might be that he saw the first story wasn’t gonna work, and had to come up with a new one.
If he shot himself, where is the gun, who is it registered to, does he have gun registered to him, was it the same caliber of the shoulder wound, where did he hide the gun after he shot himself.
I can’t help but believe that someone shot him in the shoulder that holds a skeleton in a closet for him that he wants to stay there.
I might be wrong, but, I could be right for a change.
whoever I am for whatever it is.
Veteranmedic:
First of all EVERYONE has a story on why their job or situation is soo much worse than anyone else’s. You’re not the only one. Secondly, YOU chose the profession your in, No one put a gun to your shoulder and made you do it. Yes your job may be stressful and agonizing but DO NOT sit here and try to defend the actions of this idiot. What he did was very inconsiderate and just plain CRAZY. How do you as a paramedic risk your life everyday when you’re a paramedic? Firefighters battle fires, Police officers apprehend dangerous criminals, paramedics help people after the fire has been put out and the criminal has been apprehended. You do not go on a call unless it is deemed safe by the sheriffs department or Pensacola PD. You stand by until you are called. Don’t get me wrong, I respect your job, but save us the pity party and the defense of this lunatic. This guy has some issues that stem far from being a paramedic. He didn’t shoot himself in the shoulder and blame it on a thug because he just rushed a trauma patient to the hospital. Really? Be Serious!
Oh my goodness this is hard to believe what some people go thru to get a little attention. Well on second thought I don’t guess it’s that hard, look at what’s going on in this little town of ours, (I know no one is talking) (YET) it’s been turned upside down by a total fake. Not a whole lot of difference just a lot of disapointment and people’s loss of hard earned $$$$.
JUST SAYING!!!
ITS VERY APPARENT THIS BOY WAS ILL AND COULD HAVE BEEN FROM SOME KIND OF MENTAL TRAUMA FROM HIS JOB FOR SAVING SOME OF US ! WELL SAID VETERANMEDIC !!! PEOPLE NEED TO SHUT THEIR MOUTHS UNTIL THEY WALK IN THE SHOES OF THE PEOPLE THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT !
for the community, this unfortunate event is over and done- shall we move on?
LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE,,YOU AND MC AURTHER CAN BUNK TOGETHER IN STATE PENN,HAHAHHAAHHAHA
LOCK EM UP AND TOSS THE KEY , let him bunk with the ESCAMBIA COUNTY DEPUTY WHO SLAMMED THE GUY ON HIS HEAD, MAKE AN EXAMPLE OUT OF BOTH OF THEM,,ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF ESCAMBIA’S FINEST AT WORK ,,
BUBBA AND THE BOYS WILL LOVE BOTH OF THEM ..HAHAHAH TIME FOR A TEA PARTY , ,, ANOTHER UNSTABLE COUNTY EMPLOYEE,WHAT A SUPRISE..
■hawghead
variation on Blazing Saddles and the sheriff?
David enjoying cultural reference
First, I am NOT making excuses for what Brandon did. I understand he lied to the police, his fellow coworkers and hospital staff. He will be punished and some of the ways none of you wil know or fathom. I am a veteran paramedic and yes I know Brandon. I wanted to get mad at him and did for a while but I realized I was mad for MY own intrest. Many of you have touched on certain topics that are very true. YES, this hurts the public image of public safety/EMS. Yes this did make us nervous for our safety. Yes, this situation wasted our time and tax dollars. HOWEVER, NONE OF YOU whine about how other departments use their budgets or how much waste there is in government at the local state or federal level.
Some of you on here are truly IGNORANT… Until you walk in my shoes don’t sit here and say “there is no excuse”. What there is no excuse for is the degree of abuse public safety employees take from each of you. We put our lives in harms way EVERYDAY and EVERY CALL. We do see things that you can not understand or comprehend. We have to see the worst of situations and people. We have to tell parents their baby is dead, take care of people we know are not going to make it. To actually watch someone take their last breath. We see horrific injuries that we could never explain to you. And YES, we have to keep a smile or we get a complaint. We have to just push in the back of our brain because their is someone else calling us. In my career, I have thought about suicide any quite a few occasions but luckily I didn’t do it. I wish I could quit my job but when this is all you have prepared for and know, you are to scared to just quit. Especially in todays economic society. So before you call us stupid or say just quit remember this. NO matter our isses and mental stability, we are there for you. We handle your emergency toi the best of our ability. We try to be cheerful and upbeat but sometimes its just not a good day. So in closing to all you who bash Brandon and public safety, GO TO SCHOOL GET YOUR LICENSE AND COME WALK IN MY SHOES, until then some opinions are not necessary.
i know brandon he was always a great kid his mother recently bacame sick so that might be it and hes married and so there might be problems with his marrige and other than that i dont see why he would do something like that ha is a very good man and i am just very upset about all of this poor poor barandon
Just too stupid!!!!!!!!!
That’s senseless…What if someone who actually got shot and all of our law enforcement..etc are at a fake responce call…They could have cost someones life in a situation like that.
What a freaking loser. Guess what dude? You’re going to likely get some tic tock out of this one. Why did’nt you go to your supervisor and tell him you felt like shooting yourself and avoid all this? After this is all over, I would consider moving to Canada.
It is sad to see the lengths some people will go to get attention. Sad!
Don’t anyone move or the EMT gets it… Oh do what he say, do what he say……
I’m concerned about his partner. Did Mr. Richie have this gun on him the whole time he was present in the ambulance. I’m sure policies will need to be looked into, maybe even possible they might need to install metal dectors like we went through at the prison.
Gembeaux: “…so, Officer, someone tapped me on the shoulder…I turned around, and it was me! I was so startled, I shot me!”
Yeah really, I’ve heard of people with split personalities, but that’s commonly directed toward others and not ones own self.
I was not suggesting he kill himself at home. This was not a life threatening wound.
LOL OK now that is just mean.
However, being really really ticked at an EMT that faked being shot and
cost a us fortune and took police away from things where people really needed
them IS not mean it is NECESSARY. The courts are WAYYY to lenient and
there is way to much sympathy for law breakers who have good jobs and
insist on wasting the time of all our public servants who we need so
desperately.
I have said it before. If I did public service and volunteer work all my life
that still doesn’t give me the right to go next door and shoot my neighbor
for any reason. GET REAL
It’s our money and we have a right to our opinion
@Bob -The problem is that he LIED trying to put blame on somebody else (knowing what a hot topic that is). If he had done this in the privacy of his home, or told the police it was a failed suicide attempt, that would be one thing. He lied, and that lie effected so many people. Who you might ask? The people of that neighborhood, everyone the police stopped and questioned, the LEOs, his co-worker (if she was really scared, think of all the EXTRA grief she’s gone through), his other co-workers having to worry that there’s a gunman running around shooting EMTs. I said get him some therapy, and make him pay!! Yes we have all lied, but anyone who tells a lie of this magnitude desrves to have to pay!!!
“…so, Officer, someone tapped me on the shoulder…I turned around, and it was me! I was so startled, I shot me!”
If anyone had education on what the suicide rate is for EMT’s you would all know this kind of thing is not uncommon. You see when one of you that are bashing him gets into a wreck or something…….he see’s whats left of you and imagine seeing that kind of thing all the time and living with it! Take a Biology or Anatomy class and get some…..see how you all can handle just a CLASS then take a job helping those that are less fortunate on their last days and seeing all kinds of things. Soldiers are another brave soul that has high suicide rates, go to war see innocent people (kids, women) die and that would get to anyone. Everyone is quick to say OH this guy is sick and needs the book thrown at him but you all that sit behind desks or shuffle papers everyday don’t really know what he was going through or what was on his mind that day!!
Oh and Gerry
I loved that movie, saw it about 10 times just to give myself a good laugh
those days.
@Hawghead – I smell that same skunk!!! Something’s just not right!
@Courious – When you are scared you might hear or think you hear almost anything. Someone might have innocently been trying to get in. She might have been lying to boost what she thought was her co-worker’s true story, or she might have been just lying for the sake of lying. We might not ever know, and probably won’t ever know the whole truth.
@Friend & Co-worker – Get him some help, but he needs to pay also. People learn when their pocketbook/wallet is affected. He needs a life long lesson not just group therapy!
I still believe there is more to this story than meets the eye. I’m only guessing here but it seems all the facts are not out there. I bet when it’s all said and done we will be surprised. I do have a few questions. 1) where is the gun he shot himself with? 2) who was trying to open the door to the buliding where the female was located? 3) Does anyone smell a jealous boyfriend or husband????????????? Just wondering because I still smell a skunk in the woodpile…..
As someone who like CCR it’s hard to believe I made that ” mistake”.
“credence”
and alllll this time I thought I was sooooo perfect.
Maybe she did, doesn’t mean someone didn’t try to get in to a bathroom.
Maybe she was so frightened she just imagained it.
Maybe she heard something but just thought it was the door being rattled.
Then again maybe that was to add credance to his story???
Then again maybe it was to gain some ATTENTION to herself.
Who knows?
I knew when he made the statement to retrieve an item from his bag, that was a fluke. What darn item? Then the questions arises…Who would shoot someone right next to the Jail house? C’mon, get real.
Another factor that comes into play here is that the county (taxpayers) most likely covered this guys bill at the Hospital since he was on duty.
I would think he should have to make settlement for that.
Wouldn’t you?
I thought after the co-worker locked herself inside the building, she said she heard someone rattling the door trying to get in????
REGARDING:
“If we spent $400,000 on an investigation only to find out that he needs help I say it is money well spent no matter what the circumstances are.”
It has always interested me how generous some are with other people’s money. I’m assuming those generous souls don’t intend to repay out of their own personal pockets.
Regardless, when they are investigating fake crimes, they are not investigating real crimes. When they are looking for fake suspects, they risk arresting and/or shooting innocent people (not likely, but more likely than if they weren’t looking for imaginary shooters).
David for honest paramedics
maybe he was arguing with himself
I,as many more people,wondered about this incident from the begining.
Bent Straight you may have a point.
Guys in the military have been known to shoot themselves in the foot
to get out of combat. They get a purple heart, lots of simpathy and
they get sent home. Who would question a HERO EVER.
ONLY TIME WILL TELL or maybe we will never know this guy.
An EMT with a medical background . . . he PLANNED the entire incident . . . a “flesh wound” to the shoulder while “on duty” was a ticket to a “permanent lifetime disability” and financial security without ever having to work again! He knew he would survive and receive the sympathy of community. Who would ever deny his “permanent disability” request. This was NOT a mental issue, but, deliberate FRAUD for financial gain. He lost his nerve cause the cops were too suspicious. At least that’s my opinion
Grits man and Hawg…
That was so well said I am speechless and believe me my husband is
dumb founded about that.
Stop defending the babies in this town. Thats the whole trouble with
them. They have enablers in YOU. Stop making excuses and saying
poor baby. THERE NOT BABIES ANYMORE. If the job is too stressful
one word.
QUIT !
p.s. OK MY HUSBAND IS LAUGHING.
so I’m not speechless. Blah Blah Blah
This is to “friend and co-worker” Yes we are greatfull for what you do, but this guys is an IDIOT. I for one am not going to give this guy a break. That is exactly what he wants. ATTENTION. He caused a lot of other public safety workers to stop what they were doing and look for this “unknown gunman”. Did you ever wonder how many crimes were committed during that 4 hour search? He caused his female partner to lock herself up in a building and fear for her life. She may never get over that. EMS workers are to be commended for what they do and we trust them with our lives. Look at what damage this one act has caused to that trust. PEOPLE STOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR THESE IDIOTS. Now I can go eat my grits in peace……….
I am so glad this guy did not make grits for a living. Then we would hear the endless stories of how this should not impune all grit workers of America and the majority want to do a good job and how greatfull we should be to all the grit workers in this country. And to not let a few bad grits spoil the pot.
I don’t know why he did it, and I am sure there was something that caused it. But I can tell you this….
Give the guy a break, there is something wrong and it can now be addressed. Have any of you considered the amount of crap our emergency responders go through both physically and mentally?
I am not defending what he did, it was wrong. But at the same time how about we find out how to help him, and prevent this from happening again instead of throwing him to the wolves?
I agree that what he did is unconscionable, and knowing Brandon he will take his licks for it. But instead of keel-hawling him you should be asking yourself what would you do if it got “that bad”. While I am hurt and ashamed by his actions (it puts all of us in a bad light), I am also glad that he only winged himself instead of actually taking his own life (it may have been his plan from the get go).
Just back off for now and let him get the help he needs, and thank your emergency responders instead of belittling them. You would be surprised what what simple hand shale and thank you can do for those of use who have to deal with what we see every day.
If we spent $400,000 on an investigation only to find out that he needs help I say it is money well spent no matter what the circumstances are. Good medics are hard to find, and Brandon is one of the best I have ever worked with. Knowing the things he has seen I am just glad it was not worse.
Now remember what I said when this story first came out and everyone was ranting and raving and throwing the race card. I said “Let’s wait until the facts are in before we make any assumptions”. I knew this story sounded fishy from the beginning. Now we can rant and rave.
is this why we aren’t supposed to shoot all suspects on sight?
BAD WORD BAD WORD….LOL THATS FUNNY TOO MARY.
GOT A REAL LIFT OUT OF THAT. LOL
What a terrible thing to do, but I think most of knew this was fishy from
the get go. I’m with the person that said this guy should have to pay
us back for the time waisted investigating and closing off the area
and looking for his imaginary assailant. Every darned dime. I want
it back. You know however, that without a job thats going to be really
hard, so why don’t we just have him clean up the entire city of pensacola
by foot. We have a ton of garbage that has hit our streets from pcola to
molino and god knows where else around here.
I think a three year stint of weekends picking up garbage in pcola and
surrounding cities in front of all of us every weekend would teach him
a better lesson than using our jail space for this type of garbage.
IF HE LIKES GARBAGE LET HIM HAVE IT ALL……..
He should be fined for all the taxpayer $ spent on a manhunt that was not needed. These things cost the citizens more than just money, however, a fine would help take the taxpayers off the hook somewhat.
Is he any relation to Buzz and Dee De Richie?
Do EMTs carry guns? he needs to pay for ALL the time that his LIE took from the citizens of Pcola!! AND NO you cant fix stupid but this is worse than stupid..BAD WORD BAD WORD!!!
I know the situation isn’t funny at all, but I still can’t wrap my head around why someone would shoot themselves and then lie and blame it on someone else. It is infuriating to know that OUR tax dollars were wasted on an investgation that should have never taken place. It is also infuriating to know that the person went as far as to blame a black man, of course in this community that is pretty standard. I hope he gets the mental help he OBIVIOUSLY needs.
The story still ain’t adding up. If you’re going to shoot yourself deliberately, your shoulder is not the usual target.
I think we need to call Perry Mason in and put this guy on the stand. Was it his partner that shot him? Was it his turn to drive and he jumped in the passenger side? Was it the jealous husband of his girlfriend? His own wife? Or was it the woman from Title Cash, because he didn’t make his loan payment? (EMT’s don’t make a lot of money.)
WHODUNNIT!?!
Whatever happened, I’m sorry that it did. This guy is not stupid. Nobody that has the smarts to pass the courses required to be an EMT is dumb. I hope whatever the problem is in his life, he can get things fixed.
If I was him, I would press charges on myself, and take advantage of Florida’s 10-20-life law, to punish myself to the greatest extent.
Maybe this would teach me to not shoot myself again.
You can’t fix stupid .
Wow! Apparently this individual has some serious issues, some that need to be looked into and addressed for his own health and safety. While additional details and information is not being released, one thought is that he could have had a gun at work (which I am sure is against any and all Escambia EMS policies) and accidentally shot himself, but if that was the case, he should have owned up to it right away. He would have faced punishment, but at least it wouldn’t have been criminal charges! As I read this story again and see the end result, it just amazes me what people can and will say to try to keep themselves out of trouble. This hightened the level of concern for the safety of all EMS workers, this made national EMS headlines, and now to have a true slap in the face to EMS is just a shame! I do not wish this individual any harm, but I do wish that they learn a very hard lesson (which I am sure they will be without a job, and are facing criminal charges), but this has actually hurt many people and the EMS family as a whole. EMS fights very hard on a daily basis to build it’s reputation and then we have someone that for what ever reason lies about a shooting! This has cost a lot of people a lot of time, money, and concern and all over a lie! If people learn nothing else from reading this story and sad situation, I hope and pray that they learn if you mess up, make a mistake, whatever the case may be, please just “man up” and take ownership for it! I am not meaning to pass judgement and with no additional information released all we can do is speculate, but end result is, I hope and pray that this individual deals with the issues he has that would have caused him to lie like this, and that anyone local or from a national stand point doesn’t allow this incident to skew their judgement on EMS professionals. Everyone is human, everyone makes mistakes, but I have to say this is an EXTREME! Prayers going out to this guy and Escambia EMS in having to work through a difficult situation like this!
Please don’t judge all of those of us who work in EMS by this one incident. This is the first time that I have heard of something such as this occurring. Certainly we are very stressed from what we deal with on a day to day basis, but there are many other ways to deal with this stress than through actions such as this. Maybe one day we will learn the reasoning for the shooting and the story which was made up behind it. Kudos to all my fellow EMS professionals for the jobs which you do each and every day.
As a Firefighter and Medic, I knew this just wasn’t right. How did this guy make it through probation? He’s going to get plenty of attention now…
I knew the story sounded fishy. I thought it was someone he knew. I guess he did know this person better than anyone! Glad this is pretty much over for the public (searches, etc). The things people will do. This has messed up his EMT career. STUPID!! I think those people who were talking really bad about the people in that neighborhood should be embarrassed now. I’m sure they won’t though.
i knew something wasn’t adding up but didn’t see this coming . figured the wifes boy friend shot him . wow
Sandra, that was funny….thank you.
Why would someone do that?? Was he looking to get paid time off from his job…I wouldn’t of just faked the flu
Way to promote escambia county ems!! I work ems in a neighboring county and that just totally kills our appearance as professionals!! Thanks dude!!
what a joke…someone should show him what real fear feels like
Let me be the first to rant and rave with”you dont know him so dont be talkin bad about him” ……..just kiddin.
I can think of better ways to get attention than shooting myself.
What a way to get 15 minutes of fame!