The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says that four firefighters were arrested on misdemeanor criminal mischief charges.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday that four members of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department were arrested after a reported “prank war” within the agency.
JSO says that on Monday, December 29, 2025, an officer in the LaVilla neighborhood noticed “multiple impacts” on his patrol vehicle, which were determined to be green paint splatters. Another driver reported that their vehicle had been marked similarly.
When responding officers arrived on scene, they stated that they had noticed green paint along the road. It was determined that the paint had some from “a high-velocity launcher at an elevated location.”
Officers say that they “quickly” noticed firefighters entering a firestation on North Jefferson Street and West Duval Street. Upon being interviewed, the firemen stated that there was an “ongoing ‘prank war’ between fire stations,” which the sheriff’s office describes as a possible cause of the incident.
Upon investigating the fire station, JSO claims that 14 red and green paintballs were found on the roof of the fire station, as well as recently washed paintball shells.
JSO says that on Thursday, January 22, the four firefighters were identified and warrants for their arrests were obtained. They were arrested on Friday and booked into the Duval County Jail shortly afterwards.
According to JSO, the firefighters have since been reassigned to “administrative duties” pending an internal JFRD investigation.
“JSO maintains a strong public safety partnership with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department,” JSO states. “This incident does not change our commitment to protecting the citizens and visitors of Jacksonville.”
JFRD has released the following statement:
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested four Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department personnel this afternoon on misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief following an investigation into personnel misconduct while on duty.
The four individuals, have been reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of an internal JFRD investigation.
JFRD was made aware of the allegations by the JSO on December 29, 2025, and has fully cooperated with its investigation into this incident.
This incident will have no impact on public safety or JFRD operations. The station where this occurred remains fully staffed with qualified personnel.
We value the trust the community places in our department as first responders, and we are committed to the highest standards of conduct and accountability. JFRD holds all personnel to these standards. This matter involves four individuals and does not reflect the professionalism and dedication of the 1,900 firefighters who serve Jacksonville with pride.