Hostages Held Captive By Fellow Firefighter Describe Frightening Moments
By Walt Hunter
CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) -- Firefighters held hostage by one of their own at gunpoint inside the LaMott Fire Company yesterday morning now describe a frightening ordeal that may well have ended without injury because of the brotherhood they feel for each other.
Fire Company President Mark Logan says the firefighter, identified by Cheltenham Township Police as 25-year-old Paul Jordan, was distraught after being told he had been dismissed from the fire company.
Logan says he was among four firefighters ordered onto the floor by Jordan, who fired a shot into the wall, six inches away, telling his hostages,"next time I won't miss."
"He could have killed us if he wanted to," Logan explained. "It was an intentional miss."
As Logan and fellow firefighters tried to reason with Jordan, a Lieutenant, who had a gun held to his head, darted out a door, made his way to the street and called "911."
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"He (Paul Jordan) had pretty much no emotion. He didn't look like he was there and I knew that wasn't the Paul Jordan that I met a year ago," Robinson said.
"When he fired the shot into the wall he clearly said the next one wont miss," Robinson said.
Meanwhile, Logan says, as SWAT teams approached, Jordan, who was described as getting angrier and angrier, saying there was "no reason to live," now began unloading his weapon.
Logan says he grabbed the gun, the firefighters then surrounding Jordan and hugging him. Then, as they are taught to do in firefighting, the hostages and the suspect made their way up the steps from the basement to where police were waiting.
Police say Jordan is now undergoing a mental health evaluation as police decide on whether criminal charges will be filed.
Meanwhile, Chief John Mulligan says his all-volunteer firefighters, who have been offered counseling, will return to service at 8 a.m. tomorrow.
The Chief displayed a firehouse kitchen filled with pizza, food, cookies and home-baked goods donated by community members who are grateful for their service and grateful no one was hurt.
Hours after the ordeal Tuesday, the phone rang in the firehouse. It was Jordan calling.
"I told him I wasn't angry at him, we still love him, Logan said. "We will be there to see him."
CBS 3 Eyewitness News reporter David Spunt contributed to this report.