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The Los Angeles Sheriff's Office confirmed Tuesday afternoon that a shooting took place at Fire Station 81 in Santa Clarita, California.
Reports of emergency responders at the fire station came across social media just after 11:15 a.m. local time, and CNN later confirmed via LA County Deputy Michelle Sanchez that at least one person was shot at the station.
Officials confirmed to KABC-TV that one firefighter was killed and another injured in the incident.
At this time, it is unknown if there are other injures in relation to the shooting, and the status of the person shot could not be confirmed by law enforcement officials. They did, however, say the shooting is not being considered an active shooter incident.
The fire station incident follows a mass shooting in Miami-Dade County, Florida over the Memorial Day weekend where two people were killed and over 20 injured, as well as a shooting in San Jose, California on May 26 at the VTA Light Rail Yard.
8 people were killed at the VTA yard by the gunman, who authorities later identified as Sam Cassidy. Cassidy took his own life after police responded to the shooting.
This is a breaking news story. More information will be added below as it becomes available. Continue following Newsweek for live updates.
Shooting Suspect Died in Fire Set at Home
The suspect of the Santa Clarita shooting died in the fire set at his home, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby.
Speaking at a press conference at 3:00 p.m. local time, Osby spoke about the victims of the shooting, a 44-year-old man who died, and a 54-year-old man who was a captain for the LA County FIre Department who was transported to Henry Mayo Hospital, who is listed in critical and stable condition.
Though Osby did not identify either the suspect or the victims by name, he said the shooter was an off-duty firefighter, who after the shooting, returned home, barricaded himself, and the home was set on fire. Osby said the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was investigating the fire and death of the suspect.
Lt. Brandon Dean of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said that while containing the area with the fire, they saw a person in a small pool outside of the home who appeared to have a gunshot wound to the head. Though it is currently unknown if the gunshot was self-inflicted, no deputies fired and it is believed the individual was alone at the location. Dean said he couldn't confirm that the individual was the suspect, because the house was still burning and deputies could not approach.
LA County Buildings Fly Flags At Half-Staff In Response to Shooting
In response to the shooting, County Supervisor Hilda Solis announced that all flags at Los Angeles County buildings will be lowered to half-mast.
"My most sincerest condolences to the family of the firefighter who was tragically killed in today's shooting at Fire Station 81 in Agua Dulce. My thoughts are with our @LACOFD family. At my direction, flags will be flown half-staff at all County buildings," Solis tweeted.
Bomb Squad Arrives to Scene
Local media reported that a bomb squad from the L.A. Sheriff's Department arrived on the scene around 1:39 p.m. local time.
L.A. County Supervisor Responds to Shooting
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said that she was headed to the fire station for a news conference at 3 p.m. ET.
"I am currently on my way up to the fire station in Agua Dulce. We have limited information at this time and will share as we learn more. My heart is with our @LACOFD firefighters and the families of those affected," Barger tweeted.
Body Seen in Pool of Nearby House Fire, SWAT Personnel Deployed to Home
Local media reports are saying that officials are also monitoring a large fire that erupted in nearby Acton. The structure appears to be engulfed in flames.
Footage from the scene shows that firefighters did not initially attack the fire, but later used water drops from above to contain the fire.
A man's body was spotted in the pool of the home but it is unclear if it is the suspect.
The Los Angeles County's Sheriff's Department's Special Enforcement Bureau said that SWAT personnel was being deployed to the home "searching for assault with a deadly weapon suspect."
Police have not confirmed the fire's connection to the shooting at Fire Station 81 earlier in the day.
#LASD Air Rescue 5 deploying LASD SEB SWAT personnel in Acton searching for assault with a deadly weapon suspect. pic.twitter.com/geDhtTvbnb
— SEB (@SEBLASD) June 1, 2021
One Wounded Firefighter Airlifted to Local Hospital
Aerial footage from KABC-TV captured a wounded firefighter at the station being airlifted by helicopter to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, where additional video showed paramedics wheeling the firefighter on a gurney into the medical center.
L.A. County Fire Department Confirms Shooting
The Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed the Tuesday shooting on Twitter, writing: "It is with heavy hearts that the LACoFD confirms that a tragic shooting occurred at approximately 10:55 a.m. today at FS 81 in Agua Dulce."
"The Dept. is still in the process of gathering additional information & are cooperating with law enf. throughout this ongoing incident," the department tweeted.
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