Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire Rescue Board of Directors is investigating the incident
FirefighterNation Staff
COLUMBUS COUNTY, North Carolina – WECT reports that a woman captured a video of a firefighter with the Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire Rescue pointing a gun at her on Saturday on Highway 74.
It is unknown what led to the incident, but according to Tae DeLeon’s Facebook post, she had been in a confrontation with a different firefighter before she hit the record button and the other firefighter pointed a handgun at her.
WRAL stated that the fire department was on the scene of an accident, blocking the two westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 74/76 with a fire truck.
WECT contacted Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire Rescue for comment and Chief Steve Camlin said the department would not issue any statements at this time, and that the department’s board of directors is investigating the incident.
A witness said she saw DeLeon drive full-speed at the crash site and tried to get around the fire truck by driving onto the median. She said she then saw the firefighter with the gun drawn, stopping DeLeon.
DeLeon stated she spoke with a state trooper who told her to file a report on the incident, but since he did not see it happen, could not do anything about it at that time.
WCET also contacted Columbus County Attorney Amanda Prince for a comment on the video but have not gotten a response.
DeLeon’s Facebook post identifies the firefighter as Jeff Sherwood.
Sherwood, who openly carries a gun, told WRAL he couldn’t comment about what happened, other than to say he was scared.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol said that the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office would handle any investigation. Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Michele Tatum said DeLeon hasn’t filed an incident report.
Ed Brinson, deputy director of the North Carolina State Firefighters Association, said state law doesn’t prohibit firefighters from carrying guns and that each department must make its own policies.
Caution: Explicit Language
