Austin Firefighter Stabbed While Putting Out Fire

On May 29, 2023, a firefighter was stabbed in the thigh while responding to a fire in Austin, Texas. The suspect, Kelly Ingroum, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a public servant.

The incident occurred in the early morning when firefighters were responding to a fire at a construction site near I-35 and Riverside Drive. As firefighters were working to extinguish the fire, Ingroum aggressively approached them and stabbed one of the firefighters in the thigh.

The firefighter was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Ingroum was arrested at the scene and is currently being held in the Travis County Jail.

The Austin Fire Department has released a statement saying that they are grateful for the swift action of the Austin Police Department in apprehending the suspect. They also expressed their appreciation for the outpouring of support from the community.

It is important to recognize that firefighters are responsible for saving countless lives, properties, and communities from the various hazards they face daily. It is admirable that they put their lives on the line to perform their duty with the utmost professionalism.

It is truly disheartening that firefighters, who already have an incredibly difficult and dangerous job, are now facing even more danger and violence on the job. It is unfortunate that these heroes not only have to worry about battling fires and saving lives but also have to protect themselves from physical attacks, such as this firefighter that was assaulted with a knife.

This kind of behavior is unacceptable and goes far beyond mere workplace hazards. It is a sad reflection of the current state of society, where even those who are selflessly putting themselves in harm’s way to save others are not immune to senseless acts random of violence. Firefighters have enough gear to lug around without having to worry about protecting themselves with pepper spray or some other self-defense weapon.

We need to come together as a community to support and protect our firefighters, who work tirelessly to keep us safe every single day. Come on people, do better.

As always, be safe and be prepared.