(KNX 1070) - A shooting at a home in Port Hueneme has left a 7-year-old girl in a coma, her pregnant mother wounded and raises questions about how first responders handled the situation.
The Ventura County fire department has launched an investigation into claims that firefighters failed to help the wounded child and mother after the last night.
A child is hospitalized in a coma after someone opened fire on her Pt. Hueneme home. Her pregnant mother was also hurt. The shooter(s) is still in the loose. Police believe someone in the home was the intended target. pic.twitter.com/sCxl2GBlIv
— Kandiss Crone (@KandissCroneTV)
July 3, 2019 CBS LA published a story which wrote: "According to Port Hueneme police when the girl’s father rushed his daughter, who was shot in the head, to a nearby Ventura County Fire Department station, the firefighters inside refused to come out and help him because they believed they were in danger."
Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen says the mother rang the bell at the station after the shooting Tuesday night. The three firefighters inside could not immediately tell there was a medical emergency. They grabbed their gear and responded within about two minutes. By then, Lorenzen says, police had already taken the 7-year-old. The firefighters treated the mother.
Fire chief: Mom rang bell at fire station. 3 firefighters inside couldn't tell it was a med emergency. They got up, got gear & responded w/in about 2 mins. Police had already taken 7yo, firefighters treated mom. "Everything that they did was completely prudent and very timely." https://t.co/vd7GGsnFmw
— Claudia Peschiutta (@ReporterClaudia)
July 3, 2019 Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen said on Twitter: "We're deeply saddened by the tragic shooting that occurred in Port Hueneme near our station. We're investigating the circumstances surrounding the emergency response and medical services rendered to the mom and daughter following the shooting. VCFD is talking with firefighters and local authorities to determine the facts. Details will be released as soon as information is known."
Police are looking for multiple shooters because they found more than one type of shell casing at the scene and they believe the shooters were targeting someone in the home.
The 7-year-old girl and her mother were hit as a shooter fired into their home on Pearl Street.
"Unfortunately the fire department was unresponsive and did not come out," City Police Chief Andrew Salinas said. "The child was treated and subsequently transported via helicopter to Children's Hospital in Los Angeles where she is currently in a coma and in critical condition. The mother who called was also shot twice and is listed in stable condition as a result of her injuries and received treatment last night at the Ventura County Medical Center."
Statement 2 of 2 from Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen: “VCFD is talking with firefighters and local authorities to determine the facts. Details will be released as soon as information is known." #PortHueneme #VCFD
— Ventura County Fire (@VCFD)
July 3, 2019 Statement 1 of 2 Chief Lorenzen: “We're deeply saddened by the tragic shooting that occurred in #PortHueneme near our station. We're investigating the circumstances surrounding the emergency response and medical services rendered to the mom and daughter following the shooting."
— Ventura County Fire (@VCFD)
July 3, 2019 Police say they're following several leads, but have no clear suspect and say the area is not known for gang activity.
