Tragedy Hits Close to Home

Webster, N.Y. -- Two firefighters have died after being shot at the scene of a fire on Lake Road in Webster early Monday.

Webster's Police chief confirms that another two firefighters were also shot and are being treated for their injuries.

Chief Gerald Pickering says one of the firefighters was able to escape in his private vehicle, while the others remained pinned down for around an hour.

The fire started around 5:30 a.m. at 191 Lake Rd. near Bay Rd. Webster Fire tells 13WHAM News that a gunman opened fire on the fire crews.

Of those first responders, Webster’s Police chief says firefighters Mike Chiapperini and Tomas Kaczowka were shot and died at the scene. Chiapperini was also a member of the Webster Police Department. Kaczowka was a member of the fire department and a 911 dispatcher.

The other two firefighters that were shot are Theodore Scardino and Joseph Hofsetter. They were transported to Strong Memorial Hospital and are listed in guarded condition. Doctors at Strong Hospital say Scardino was shot twice, once in the shoulder and once in the knee. Hofsetter was shot in the pelvis.

A fifth individual, off-duty Greece police officer John Ritter, was injured by shrapnel.

Pickering says that the suspected shooter has been found dead near the property where the fire began, and that there is no longer a threat to the area. No details about the suspect have been released.

He also said that the suspect may have created the fire as a trap for the first responders.

We're told four homes were destroyed as a result of the fire. 33 neighbors in the immediate area were evacuated from their homes.

My friend, Evan Dawson with Channel 13 has been between scenes all day...this on his son's second  Christmas Eve. There are no words-- this has to STOP.  Peace to all families and Webster township. Bless the firefighters that volunteer to go save people's houses and property.