Texas firefighter shot during welfare check, released from hospital

By Nicole Lopez
Fort Worth Star-Telegram

arlington, Texas — An Arlington firefighter who was shot in the chest while conducting a welfare check has been released from the hospital as he continues his recovery, the Arlington Professional Fire Fighters announced in a news release Friday.

Brady Weaver was hospitalized on March 22 in critical condition but was alert and in “good spirits,” according to the Arlington fire chief.

“This community has been tremendous at showing Brady their love over the past week. ... We are grateful for every act of kindness our community has shown,” Arlington Professional Fire Fighters President Jimmy Studer said in the release.

“I am so proud of Brady for going home today and cannot wait to see him continue to progress well in his recovery,” Studer said.

At around 12:45 a.m. March 22, Arlington police, firefighters and medics responded to the Bardin Greene Apartments, on East Bardin Road, to conduct a welfare check. A resident called 911 and reported hearing children in a neighboring apartment crying and asking for their mother to wake up, police said in a news release.

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Officers repeatedly knocked on the door and announced their presence, according to police. Although no one answered, first responders could hear children’s voices coming from inside the apartment, calling for their mother to wake up.
First responders then entered the apartment “concerned that someone inside the apartment could be injured or in need of emergency medical attention,” the release states.

A short time later, a single shot was fired from inside the apartment through the door, police said. The bullet struck Weaver, police said.

Weaver was taken to Medical City Arlington Hospital. No additional shots were fired, and no one else was injured, police said.

Officers gave commands for everyone in the apartment to come outside. A man, woman and two children came out of the apartment. The man, who police think is the shooter, was arrested and questioned by detectives.

Police said the man, Demetric Brooks, told them that he and his girlfriend were asleep and they awoke to the sound of firefighters trying to breach the door. The man told investigators he thought someone was trying to break in and fired his gun and told his girlfriend to call 911. Police confirmed that the woman did call 911 after the shot was fired.

Brooks was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as well as unrelated warrants out of grand prairie and Haltom City.

Arlington Professional Fire Fighters has a 501c3 charitable organization through which tax-deductible donations can be made.

Donations can be made via Zelle, sent to [email protected] or by mailing a check to APFF Charitable Fund, 208 S. Roader Field, Arlington, TX, 76013.

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