Two Montgomery County firefighters are facing criminal charges after allegedly flooding a Maryland high school baseball field amid a dispute over errant baseballs damaging vehicles and fire station property. Capt. Christopher Reilly and firefighter Alan Barnes are each charged with two counts of malicious destruction of property and one count of disorderly conduct, all misdemeanors, according to court records, reports NBC News.
The incident on July 17 occurred at Montgomery Blair High School, adjacent to Silver Spring Fire Station 16, where both men work. Video evidence cited in the criminal complaint reportedly shows Barnes moving a fire truck to the back of the station and Reilly positioning a hose to spray water onto the field. The incident led to the cancellation of a Cal Ripken Sr. Collegiate Baseball League game, resulting in lost revenue for the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts.
According to the complaint, when confronted by team staff, Reilly explained his actions as an attempt to "get your attention," citing frustration over repeated damage to vehicles and equipment caused by stray baseballs. Reilly told investigators he sprayed water for about a minute, though court records and team officials say it was more like three minutes, reports the Washington Post. Barnes' attorney contends his client only followed orders to move the truck and didn't operate the hose, per NBC.
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"I was stunned," local attorney Jessica Zarrella tells the Post. "I mean, who do you teach your kids ... they can trust? A firefighter." The men were officially charged on Sept. 22, per Bethesda Magazine. The Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service says both firefighters have been removed from operational duties during an internal investigation. Fire Chief Corey Smedley emphasized that the alleged conduct doesn't reflect departmental standards or values. The firefighters are next set to appear in court on Oct. 21.
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