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Two Jacksonville firefighters assaulted while on duty, officials say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE, 1 p.m. 10/9/19: The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department said the incident that led to two firefighters being attacked Tuesday night began as a normal hospital transport.

Then the patient, 38-year-old Tony Harris, attacked.

Harris was being taken to the hospital for back pain when he took JFRD Capt. Latorrence Norris' box cutter and began stabbing him in his upper chest and abdomen.

RELATED: Suspect accused of stabbing two Jacksonville firefighters has criminal history dating back to 2003

JFRD Engineer Vincent Harper, who was driving the ambulance, stopped the ambulance to assist Norris and was stabbed in the thigh on his right leg.

A UF Health security guard driving a golf cart took Norris to the trauma center to save his life. Norris had a collapsed lung and significant blood loss when he arrived at the hospital.

Harris is currently in the Duval County Jail, facing two charges of aggravated battery on a firefighter and resisting officer without violence, according to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Inmate Search.

JFRD and Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry gave an update on the incident Wednesday at noon. Watch on Facebook live below:

Original Story:

Two Jacksonville firemen who were assaulted on-duty at the 2000 block of Boulevard around 10 p.m. Tuesday are recovering in the hospital, according to the Firefighters Association.

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Action News Jax first reported Tuesday night that one firefighter was hurt, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. We've since learned that two firefighters were assaulted during their shifts.

JSO only said two people who were stabbed and brought to UF Health to be treated. Police said they have a suspect in custody, but didn't release their identity.

Action News Jax reporter Beth Rousseau is working to learn the what led up to a stabbing, the suspect, the identity of the firefighters and how serious their injuries are.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates and watch CBS47 and FOX30.

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