Firefighter suspended after friend is shot in his home

GULFPORT -- A firefighter, accused of shooting a former firefighter who was a guest in his home, has been suspended pending a Gulfport Fire Department internal investigation, Fire Chief Mike Beyerstedt said.

Gulfport police arrested longtime firefighter Scott Lebron Stuckey, 54, Sunday after responding to an early-morning report of a shooting at his house on Roxbury Place. He is accused of shooting a man in the leg during an argument.

The wounded man had worked for the Gulfport Fire Department for two years about 20 years ago, Beyerstedt said.

"They were friends," he said.

Beyerstedt said Stuckey has been with the department 21 years and is an engineer and an emergency medical technician. An engineer drives and maintains a fire truck, determines the proper water pressure for hoses and also fights fires.

"Engineer Stuckey is on administrative suspension with pay pending the results of an administrative investigation," Beyerstedt said. "It's separate from the legal issues that he's facing."

"He is being paid at least until the point this administrative investigation is completed."

The investigation may be completed by Friday, he said.

Police reported they were called to a home on Roxbury Place on a report of a rape of an adult female about 3:38 a.m. Sunday, but learned before they reached the house that a shooting had occurred.

"The wounded man was holding his leg when officers arrived," police Sgt. Damon McDaniel said. "He was alert and conscious."

American Medical Response took the wounded man to a local hospital. His condition was not available Monday.

Stuckey was booked at the Harrison County jail and released later Sunday morning.

Justice Court Judge Brandon Ladner set his bond at $25,000.

Police released no information on a possible motive.

McDaniel said the findings of the rape allegation will be presented to a grand jury for review.

This story was originally published November 2, 2015 at 5:53 PM with the headline "Firefighter suspended after friend is shot in his home ."