Flagler County fire station struck by bullet during shooting, officials say

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. - A fire station in Flagler County was struck by a bullet during a shooting on Sunday night, according to the Flagler Beach Fire Department.

The incident happened just after 6:30 p.m. in the 400 block of South Flagler Avenue in Flagler Beach, the Flagler Beach Police Department said.

Station 11 heard the sound of gunshots followed by a bullet striking the front of the station, the fire department said in an update.

A firefighter was inside the station's apparatus bay when the bullet struck, but no injuries to any firefighters were reported.

An 18-year-old man, however, was injured in the shooting. Several people approached the fire station to ask for help for a man who was shot in the street, the fire department said.

"As crews went into the apparatus bay to grab medical bags, they had a visual of the male laying in the street," the fire department said. "The on-duty crew made the decision to go and make the grab putting their self-preservation aside. The crew was able to drag the victim back into the station bay where they were able to provide life saving measures."

He was taken to a local hospital and immediately went into surgery. His injuries do not appear to be life-threatening, officials said.

At the time of the shooting, the area was sectioned off as a crime scene.

"This shooting easily could have resulted in the loss of a human life, and it should serve as a solemn reminder that even small towns like Flagler Beach are not immune to incidents of violence," Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney said in a statement.

He added that investigators are in the process of collecting video evidence and are interviewing additional witnesses.

The investigation by the Flagler Beach Police Department and Flagler County Sheriff's Office is ongoing.

Anyone with information or cell phone video related to the shooting is asked to contact the Flagler Beach Police Department, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office or Crimestoppers of Northeast Florida at 1-800-277-TIPS (8477).