One Dead, Two Arkansas Paramedics Shot

One person is dead and two Arkansas paramedics were wounded in a shooting Thursday while they responded to a medical emergency in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Pine Bluff (AR) police say the medics were at a residence in Pine Bluff aiding a woman with knee pain when the patient’s boyfriend, identified by authorities as Kevin Curl Jr., 22, approached them and began arguing with them per a local media source.

Curl was said to have pushed one of the paramedics who was then punched escalating the situation to gunfire. The two Arkansas paramedics shot were John Spriggs Sr., who reportedly punched Curl before Curl pulled out a firearm, and Joshua Godfrey, 35.

Curl shot both medics approximately three times in the chest, pelvic and abdominal areas, according to a police news release.

Authorities said Spriggs returned fire, striking Curl, who was later found dead inside the residence with a gunshot wound to the chest. Spriggs was found by officers lying on the ground next to the ambulance while Godfrey, 35, was found sitting in the back of the ambulance.

The paramedics were transported to the hospital to be treated for gunshot wounds. The original female patient was also transported to the hospital for her injuries.

The shooting is under investigation by Pine Bluff detectives.

The Arkansas Ambulance Association released a statement on Facebook saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with members of the EASI family in Pine Bluff this morning. At last report, the EMS personnel are in serious but stable condition following surgery.

Two Arkansas Paramedics Shot – Both Employees Of EASI

Both paramedics work for Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. (EASI).

Emergency Ambulance Service, Inc. (EASI) is the ambulance provider for Pine Bluff and Jefferson County; Warren and Bradley County; Star City and Lincoln County; Rison and Cleveland County; England and the southern third of Lonoke County; DeWitt and the southern two-thirds of Arkansas County

EASI has a very long and distinguished history in Pine Bluff. Having been in operation in Pine Bluff for over 45 years, we are one of the oldest ambulance services in the state.

We will update this story as details emerge.