TITUSVILLE, Fla. – The Titusville firefighter accused of trying to poison a fellow firefighter bonded out of jail on Wednesday night on $80,000 bail.
Firefighter/paramedic Randy Moore faces charges of aggravated stalking and poisoning food or water. He appeared before a judge at Brevard County Jail, where he kept quiet.
According to Titusville police, Moore admitted to putting a petroleum-based solvent known as Gunk inside Lt. Phil Jones' canteen. Gunk is an aerosol cleaning substance commonly used as an engine degreaser. On the can, it warns that the product is flammable and harmful or fatal if swallowed.
Investigators said the canteen was used as part of Jones' wildland gear bag, which is carried while fighting brush fires.
Jones, a decorated 28-year TFD lieutenant, said he noticed the smell in his canteen and told supervisors, who called police.
Moore admitted to investigators that he laced the canteen, police said. According to police, Moore had targeted Jones for six months and this was just the latest prank.
Moore, who claimed he was upset over other issues, said he did not intend to kill Jones, according to police.
"I'm totally in shock. He's a good-hearted, decent human-being," said Moore's former neighbor, who asked to not be named. "He's not a begrudging person. He's very much a joker. A silly, funny, happy guy."
Moore, a 12-year TFD veteran, was booked into the Brevard County Jail at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday and police said he could face additional charges.
Fire officials would not comment about the arrest due to an ongoing internal investigation, but released a statement saying, "Titusville Fire and Emergency Services does not condone any malicious activity that places it's employees or the public in harms way."
Police said they believe Moore wasn't doing this by himself and that they are investigating charges against another firefighter they think was involved.