A shooting at a fire station in Birmingham, Alabama, on Wednesday left two firefighters in serious condition, law enforcement officials said.
A man or a group of men entered the building through an open bay door in the morning and shot the firefighters, Police Chief Scott Thurmond said.
The wounded firefighters, both of whom are men, were taken to a local hospital.
At the time of the shooting, police said, the firefighters were conducting routine morning checks on equipment and the fire engine at Station 9 in Norwood, a neighborhood of Birmingham.
Investigators believe the shooting was targeted but have not determined a motive, Thurmond said.
“It’s extremely unusual for someone to come target one of our fire stations,” Thurmond said.
“Our firefighters are there to protect and aid,” he continued, adding that it was “very troubling, disheartening that, that would happen in our community.”
No one was in custody, and the incident remains under investigation, officials said.
The police department wished the firefighters a speedy recovery in a statement. "Our hearts are with the entire Birmingham Fire and Rescue family,” it said.
