Firefighter Shot Staten Island: Standoff With Ex-Gang Member Leads To Shooting Of Firefighter

A police standoff with an ex-gang member got a firefighter shot in Staten Island Friday morning. The suspect was wanted on federal probation violation charges and was confronted by U.S. Marshals at his home on Friday. After getting a key to his basement apartment from a neighbor, police saw smoke inside and called the fire department. When one of the firefighters went in, he was shot twice — once in the calf and once in the buttocks.

The firefighter was rushed to the hospital and is reportedly is in stable condition.

PIX 11 reports that police have identified the shooting suspect as Tyree Garland, 38. He’s an ex-con with a long criminal history. Garland is a “reputed member” of the Bloods gang, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said.

Someone by that name posted a message to Facebook Friday morning reading, “Today I die.”

He added, “They kicked in my door and it popped off.”

After the firefighter was shot at the Staten Island apartment, Garland barricaded himself there. SWAT teams were called to the scene in order to persuade him out.

After the firefighter was shot by the suspect, an evacuation of Garland’s upstairs neighbors was underway. Other residents in the building were allowed to stay but ordered to stay away from the scene.

According to CBS Local in NYC, Boyce told the station that the only weapon they know for sure Tyree Garland has in his possession is an assault rifle. A hostage negotiating team got involved and is trying to coax Garland out of the home.

Police say the suspect fired four shots at first responders when they arrived before the 54-year-old firefighter was shot during the Staten Island incident. All of this is taking place at the Mariner’s Harbor section in a two-story apartment building. The shooting happened around 6 a.m.

Boyce cites 18 prior arrests that Garland has had.

“He has been in and out of jail, he has been arrested for numerous crimes before. He has been out of jail on probation since last summer, July of last summer. He violated those conditions of his probation, that’s why we’re here today.”

According to the New York Daily News, Garland’s nickname is “S.I.” He’s the CEO and founder of Real Write Publishing, LLC. It’s a Staten Island bookstore that ships books across the country. He also wrote a book about gang life.

So far, negotiations are still taking place as numerous police, SWAT teams, authorities on helicopters, and hostage officials continue working with the suspect, who’s believed to be inside the apartment alone.

Mayor de Blasio was reportedly on his way to the hospital to visit the firefighter who was shot during the Staten Island standoff.

[Photo Credit: Anthony DiLorenzo/Twitter]