Jacksonville, Florida, January 24, 2026
Four employees of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department were arrested after investigations revealed their involvement in damaging property during a paintball prank war. The incidents occurred over several weeks, leading to charges of misdemeanor criminal mischief. The firefighters have been reassigned to administrative duties pending an internal investigation. Despite the arrests, both the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and JFRD emphasize that this will not affect public safety or their cooperative relationship.
Jacksonville Firefighters Arrested Over Paintball ‘Prank War’
Jacksonville, Florida – Four Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) employees have been arrested following an investigation into a series of paintball incidents that damaged multiple vehicles, including a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) patrol car. The arrests were made on January 23, 2026, after an inquiry revealed that the actions were part of an ongoing “prank war” between fire stations.
Details of the Incidents
The incidents began on December 29, 2025, when a JSO officer noticed green paint splatters on his marked patrol vehicle in the LaVilla neighborhood. A civilian driver reported similar damage to their car. Further investigation uncovered additional paint splatters on an I-95 traffic sign, a “one-way” sign, a dumpster, and an abandoned structure. Firefighters were observed entering a nearby fire station and quickly closing the bay doors after the incidents. On the roof and in the driveway of the station, investigators found 14 red and green paintballs, along with used paintball shells, indicating that the paintballs originated from the fire station. The four firefighters arrested in connection with these incidents are: Engineer Landon T. Simmons, age 30; Engineer Wesley P. Parker, age 32; Engineer Tristen C. Harrison, age 25; and Firefighter Colby B. Lesage, age 23. All four have been reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation by JFRD. They also face misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief. The paintball gun used in the incidents was reportedly obtained through a Christmas “White Elephant” gift exchange. Initially, the firefighters used the paintball gun to shoot signs, but when it stopped working, they began throwing paintballs at each other. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office emphasized that this incident does not affect their commitment to public safety and that the partnership with JFRD remains strong. JFRD has fully cooperated with the investigation and stated that the incident will not impact public safety or JFRD operations.
Background Context
“Prank wars” between fire stations are not uncommon, but they can lead to unintended consequences, as seen in this case. The use of paintballs, while intended as harmless fun, resulted in property damage and legal repercussions. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining professionalism and adhering to departmental policies, even during off-duty activities. Both JSO and JFRD have addressed the matter, and JFRD is conducting its own internal investigation into the incident. Further personnel decisions will be made upon the investigation’s conclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What were the charges against the four JFRD employees?
The four JFRD employees were charged with misdemeanor criminal mischief for their involvement in the paintball incidents.
What is a “prank war” between fire stations?
A “prank war” refers to a series of practical jokes or pranks exchanged between different fire stations. While intended as harmless fun, such activities can lead to unintended consequences, as seen in this case.
How did the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office respond to the incident?
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office emphasized that the incident does not affect their commitment to public safety and that their partnership with JFRD remains strong. They also stated that the incident would not impact their operations.
What actions has JFRD taken in response to the incident?
JFRD has fully cooperated with the investigation and reassigned the involved firefighters to administrative duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation. They have stated that the incident will not impact public safety or JFRD operations.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | December 29, 2025 |
| Location | LaVilla neighborhood, Jacksonville, Florida |
| Vehicles Damaged | JSO patrol car, civilian vehicle, I-95 traffic sign, “one-way” sign, dumpster, abandoned structure |
| Firefighters Arrested | Engineer Landon T. Simmons (30), Engineer Wesley P. Parker (32), Engineer Tristen C. Harrison (25), Firefighter Colby B. Lesage (23) |
| Charges | Misdemeanor criminal mischief |
| Current Status | Reassigned to administrative duties pending internal investigation |
| Investigation Initiated By | Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Integrity Unit |
| Paintball Gun Source | Christmas “White Elephant” gift exchange |
| JSO’s Statement | Emphasized continued commitment to public safety and strong partnership with JFRD |
| JFRD’s Statement | Cooperated fully with the investigation; incident will not impact public safety or operations |
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