HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities in Hernando County have detained a local man after he allegedly pursued first responders with a firearm and attempted to commandeer their fire truck. The emergency personnel had been dispatched to his residence on Sunday morning due to a medical call.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office reported that paramedics were sent to the man’s home around 10:30 a.m., located near Leisure Street and Pleasant Lane in Ridge Manor. Upon arrival, first responders found the man “highly intoxicated” and unable to stand after a fall. 

When paramedics arrived, they say the man became combative, eventually getting up, grabbing a gun and chasing them out of his home.

Once outside, deputies said the man got into a fire truck and attempted to drive away with first responders still inside. 

Deputies arrived on scene and were able to remove him from the fire truck. Deputies said the man then punched a deputy prior to being taken into custody.

The man was sent to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Once he’s cleared, deputies said he faces multiple counts of aggravated assault on a first responder, battery on a law enforcement officer, and armed burglary of a vehicle.