Fla. Firefighter Accused of Trying to Poison His Lieutenant

Feb. 14--A Titusville firefighter was arrested on Tuesday, city police said, accused of spraying a poisonous degreaser chemical into a coworker's canteen.

The investigation began Thursday, when police say Titusville Fire Department Lt. Phil Jones discovered an odd-smelling substance inside his canteen.

Police believe the substance was likely Gunk, an aerosol cleaner-degreaser which is harmful or fatal if swallowed. It is also flammable, police said.

Investigators learned that the canteen incident was just the latest in a series of acts targeting Jones.

Police say Randy Moore, a firefighter and paramedic, confessed to putting the degreaser in the canteen, and to other acts committed against Jones.

In a statement, police said Moore claimed he did not intend or hope to kill Jones with the Gunk, but was "upset over other issues and it went too far."

Police didn't say what specific issues led to Moore's alleged actions. Officials say the canteen was inside a gear bag used when crews battle brush fires.

Moore was arrested at the Titusville Police Department about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, police said, and has since been booked into the Brevard County Jail.

Police are still investigating a second firefighter, who Moore said was present for the canteen incident. An internal TFD investigation is also underway.

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