CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill — A Metro East fire chief says one of his firefighters was just inches from getting hit by a stray bullet this New Year’s Eve.
Camp Jackson Fire Protection District Chief Chris Davis said they expected celebratory gunfire on New Year's Eve, but they didn’t expect it to hit their home away from home.
“We were watching the ball drop of course. All the members were back here at this table, playing board games, eating snacks, whatever you may have. And we just heard a loud pop and we heard a bunch of glass flying,” Davis said.
A bullet came flying through the garage door window inches from the head of firefighter Miles Hogan, who was grabbing his belongings from the fire truck.
“As I was walking, I heard a gunshot. I didn't know where it came from. And I looked over and I saw glass shattered everywhere. So I retreat to the back towards where the rest of the firefighters are. And that's when my Chief, Chris Davis, says 'everybody grab your tech vest,'” Hogan said.
He’s talking about bulletproof vests that many Camp Jackson firefighters have purchased for themselves; it's something several years ago, they didn’t think they’d ever need.
“The way the world's changing, the way I feel, the different things I've seen in my 34-year career is just a need to be more vigilant,” Davis said.
Davis said he doesn’t think it was targeted because of the timing; it hit the building right at midnight just as the police calls for celebratory gunfire picked up.
“I know a lot of us didn't go to bed until 5 a.m. or so. I know the gunfire continued way past midnight. You're talking three or four o’clock. It sounded like a war zone,” Davis said.
Hogan said he wants people to think twice before firing their guns into the air because that bullet has to land somewhere.
“If I was on that side of the truck, I wouldn't be standing here today at all,” Hogan said.
Chief Davis said they haven’t been able to find the bullet and are now left with unexpected expenses to get one of their main garage doors fixed.