Responding Florida Firefighters Shot at by Gunman

Dec. 6, 2007
Firefighters in Hollywood responded to a call and were forced to take cover on Wednesday when a sniper started shooting, police said.

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HOLLYWOOD, Fla. --

A 10-hour standoff in a Hollywood home ended peacefully Wednesday night after the gunman was taken into custody.

Firefighters in Hollywood responded to a call and were forced to take cover on Wednesday when a sniper started shooting, police said.

Chopper 6 captured live images from the scene at 428 South Dixie Highway.

Two men who own a plumbing business across the street said they noticed a car in front of the building on fire. That's when they called the fire department.

When firefighters arrived, a man inside began shooting at them.

"I personally thought it was just a car blowing up, but it was a guy shooting at the firemen," said witness Albert Batchie. "I don't know why. After that, they made us disperse the area."

Police arrived at the scene and the man engaged them in a standoff.

"Next thing you know you just heard people saying, 'Get back, get back,'" said witness Martin Schepps. "Some guy came out wielding a gun and just headed towards the building over there."

Most of the businesses and residences in the area were evacuated. Residents said they weren't scared, they just wanted to go home.

The standoff ended at about 1 a.m. Thursday when the gunman, identified as 40-year-old Eyal Orkabi, surrendered. Hollywood police said Orkabi is charged with four counts of attempted murder on police and fire personnel and one count of arson for the vehicle fire.

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