Man Accused of Setting Fire to Home, Shooting Firefighter Twice Is Dead After Hours-Long Standoff: Police

NEW YORK (TheBlaze/AP) -- Authorities say a suspected gang member is dead after shooting a New York City firefighter twice and barricading himself inside a house resulting in an hours-long standoff with police Friday morning.

Police and fire officials say a U.S. Marshals regional task force was to arrest Garland Tyree on federal parole violation charges when he apparently set fire to a Staten Island home.

When firefighters responded, they say, the 38-year-old Tyree fired an assault rifle, striking a Fire Department of New York lieutenant in the calf and buttocks, thus beginning an hours-long standoff outside the home.

Police declared the standoff over shortly after 12 p.m. Noises that sounded like gunshots were heard coming from the home, but it is still unclear as to how exactly the suspect died, WCBS-TV reported.

The firefighter, identified as 53-year-old Lt. James Hayes, was listed in stable condition at a hospital.

Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said Tyree had been on parole since last summer. He had been arrested 18 times. Court documents showed he had also violated parole.

Friday's incident marked the first time in 21 years that a Fire Department of New York firefighter has been shot in the line of duty, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro told WCBS-TV.

Hayes is married and has two children. He has been with the FDNY for 31 years.