SAN DIEGO — Two Firefighters with the San Diego Fire department were both stabbed multiple times while responding to a medical call Wednesday.
The officials were responding to a call about an “intoxicated subject” at 3:55 p.m. at the Park and Market trolley station, downtown.
When the fire officials were attempting to aid the person, they were attacked by a bystander. The suspect stabbed both men several times.
Ben Vernon, a 32-year-old firefighter/paramedic, was stabbed multiple times by the suspect while assisting the drunk man. Alex Wallbertt, a 37-year-old firefighter was also stabbed when he rushed to Vernon’s aid.
Vernon started helping the patient when a bystander started advising him how to render aid, officials said. Then, for unknown reasons, the bystander took out a folding knife and stabbed the firefighters.
The firefighters were taken to a Hospital. They were still hospitalized as of Thursday.
The injuries sustained were described as non-life threatening.
A suspect was taken into custody… Ryan Allen Jones, 34, faces charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest.
From NBC SANDIEGO: — “On behalf of the entire Fire-Rescue Department, I want to thank everyone in the City of San Diego and beyond who has expressed their concern and offered their prayers and support for our people at this time,” Fire Chief Javier Mainar said Thursday.
A witness told NBC 7 that she saw a suspect wrestling with officers on the ground and a firefighter rushing up to help them. —
No motive for the attack has been determined, according to Chief of Police Shelley Zimmerman.
Photo source: NBC San Diego
