13WHAM West Webster Fire

West Webster First Responders Honored

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:23:28 -0400

Webster/Monroe Co., N.Y. - First responders at the Christmas Eve shootings in Webster were honored before a meeting at the Monroe County Legislature Tuesday night.

Members of the SWAT team that responded to the shooting stood alongside Greece Police Officer John Ritter and
West Webster Firefighters Joe Hofstetter and Ted Scardino as they received formal recognition.

The honors were awarded by County Executive Maggie Brooks and the New York State Sheriff's Association.

K9 To Be Named For Fallen Webster Firefighter

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:51:47 -0400

Greece, N.Y. - The Greece Police department is naming its newest K9 unit dog after a fallen firefighter.

The German Sheppard will be named "Chip" after Lt. Mike Chiapperini.

Chiapperini was killed in the ambush on first responders in Webster on Christmas Eve.

Lt. Chiapperini was a firefighter and police officer in Webster.

His family will be at a formal naming ceremony Friday.

Feds Seek Source Of 30-Round Mags In Webster Massacre

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 06:09:55 -0400

Rochester, N.Y. (AP) - Federal agents are trying to determine the source of 30-round magazines used by William Spengler Jr. when he killed the two West Webster firefighters and wounded two others after luring them by burning his house.

Scott Heagney of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle that agents are investigating whether the magazines were bought in Pennsylvania. New York has a 10-round limit on magazine capacity while Pennsylvania has no limit.

Spengler’s former neighbor, Dawn Nguyen, is charged with buying the him a rifle and shotgun at a Gander Mountain store and lying on the paperwork by saying they were for her. She was not charged with buying the magazines.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Dawn Nguyen Pleads Not Guilty To Charges Of Falsifying Business Records

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:17:14 -0400

Rochester, N.Y. - Dawn Nguyen, the woman accused of buying the guns used in a deadly Christmas Eve ambush in Webster, pled not guilty Monday to charges of falsifying business records.

The charge is considered an E-felony.

If convicted, the maximum sentence is up to four years in prison.

According to investigators, Nguyen lied when she bought two guns at Gander Mountain in Henrietta and claimed she would be the owner of the weapons.

Instead, investigators believe she turned those guns over to William Spengler.

In the early morning hours of Christmas Eve, Spengler shot four Webster firefighters. Two of them died.

The other two, Ted Scardino and Joseph Hofstetter, were in court for Monday's proceedings.

Nguyen is free on bail.

In March, Nguyen also pleaded not guilty to several federal charges related to the gun purchase.

Local Church Honors WWFD Families

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 22:32:43 -0400

Irondequoit, N.Y. – The Bay Knoll Church honored the victims of the Christmas Eve shooting in Webster and their families Saturday.

The church held a special service and celebration. The injured firefighters and families of those killed in the shooting did not attend, but a member of the West Webster Fire Department accepted awards in their honor.

Event organizer Diana Rowe said hosting the event was the least the church could do to show its support.

“It would really be tragic if we said absolutely nothing,” Rowe said. “We have to let those who have done so much for us know that we care about their families, care about those that were injured. And the fact that this is a daily sacrifice, it’s important for us to say something, and 'Thank you' is always appropriate.”

At Christmas Eve Ambush Officer Reed Shot Back; Receives Honors

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 08:33:32 -0400

Rochester/Webster, N.Y. - For the first time we're hearing from one of the Webster police officers credited with saving lives during the Christmas Eve ambush on WWFD first responders.

When William Spengler opened fire early on December 24, it was Officer Mark Reed who shot back.

His fellow officers credit Reed with saving lives by interrupting Spengler.

Reed says he was just doing his job. A job that he loves. "This is what I signed up to do. I'm thankful to be alive. I'm thankful to be here. It's something I enjoy doing and will continue to do," he said. “It's been a long couple months. As a department, I think we're pulling together, and we're getting through this."

Reed was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Honors by The Webster Rotary Club.

"It's humbling on my end,” he said. “It's a huge organization, and I'm very thankful.”

Reed has worked for the Webster Police Department since 2009.

Rotary Honoring Ritter After Christmas Eve Ambush

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 07:11:37 -0400

Greece, N.Y. - A police officer will be honored today for his role in saving lives at the Christmas Eve ambush in Webster.

Longtime Greece Police Officer John Ritter will receive the Community Service Person of the Year Award from the Town's Rotary Club.

Ritter is credited with saving lives that day on Lake Road when, after experiencing the shooter’s bullet hit his car, turned and alerted other first responders to stay away from the area.

Kickball Tournament Benefits West Webster FD

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 19:51:25 -0400

Rochester, N.Y. – Support for the West Webster Fire Department continued to pour in Sunday, two months since a gunman shot four firefighters, killing two of them.

Dave Hofstetter, brother of injured firefighter Joe Hofstetter, organized a kickball tournament benefitting the shooting victims’ families.

He said he’s been amazed by the support his family has received.

“This is the best community in the nation,” Hofstetter said. “I would put it up against any community. The support has been unparalleled. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

He added his respect for the brotherhood of firemen.

“My brother Joe had always told me that the firemen brotherhood was really tight-knit,” Hofstetter said. “This really demonstrated that.”

Injured Webster Firefighter Thanks Community In Statement

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 19:45:08 -0400

Rochester, N.Y. – Joseph Hofstetter’s brother, Dave Hofstetter, provided 13WHAM News with the following statement from the West Webster firefighter who was injured during the Christmas Eve shooting on Lake Road:

No words can adequately express our family's gratitude for the outpouring of support, encouragement and generosity we've received from the community. Everyone's prayers and selfless gestures have carried us through a very challenging time. You have all made a very special and everlasting impact on our lives.

This community should be proud of the way everyone rallied during an intense time of need, and we are humbled and honored to be part of it.

Our hearts remain heavy with sorrow for the loss of two beloved friends, Chip and Tomasz. They were both incredible firefighters, and even better men. We will always remember them, and our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to their families.

With sincere appreciation and gratitude,
Joe Hofstetter and family

Donations Continue For West Webster Fire Department

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 01:37:45 -0400

Webster, N.Y. - Nearly two months since the ambush of first responders on Christmas Eve, donations are still coming in.

$500,000 has now been raised for the West Webster Fire Department.

Most of the money will be going to the four families affected by the shooting.

Lt. Mike Chiapperini and Tomasz Kaczowka were killed; Ted Scardino and Joe Hofstetter were injured.