Firefighter is fired after repeatedly punching shirtless and drugged-up man

Firefighter is fired after punching drugged-up patient who spat on him in Miami hospital

  • First responder Robert Webster was fired after he punched a shirtless and drugged up man who spit on him 
  • Antonio Cruz, 29, was arrested and taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital after first responders received a call he was under the influence of cocaine 
  • Surveillance footage from October 15 at Jackson Memorial Hospital showed the confrontation occur as Cruz was handcuffed to a stretcher

A Miami firefighter was fired after he punched a shirtless and drugged up man at a hospital.

Surveillance footage from October 15 at Jackson Memorial Hospital showed Antonio Cruz, 29, laying down on a stretcher before leaning over to spit at first responder Robert Webster. 

Webster had picked up Cruz in the Allapattah area of Miami after he received a call about a man under the influence of cocaine. Cruz had been arrested and taken to the hospital for treatment. 

While the video doesn’t come with sound, WSVN reported Cruz was handcuffed to the stretcher and was shouting at first responders before he spit directly in Webster’s face. 

Webster instantly reacted and started throwing punches at Cruz as others tried to pull him off the 29-year-old. 

First responder Robert Webster was fired after he punched a shirtless and drugged up man who spit on him

First responder Robert Webster was fired after he punched a shirtless and drugged up man who spit on him

Antonio Cruz, 29, was arrested and taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital after first responders received a call he was under the influence of cocaine

Antonio Cruz, 29, was arrested and taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital after first responders received a call he was under the influence of cocaine

The Miami Fire and Rescue Department issued a statement about Webster’s release on Monday. 

‘When this incident occurred, the individual was immediately Relieved of Duty,’ the department wrote. ‘Our department is conducting an administrative investigation while this individual remains in a Relieved of Duty status.’ 

Meanwhile, Cruz was put in jail and charged with aggravated battery. 

It’s unclear when he got out, but he is currently back in jail for petty theft and a battery charge after he allegedly punched another inmate. 

Webster has previously made headlines after his co-workers drew sexual symbols on a family photo he had on his desk as a ‘joke,’ according to local 10. His colleagues also left a noose on his desk. 

Surveillance footage from Jackson Memorial Hospital showed the confrontation occur as Cruz was handcuffed to a stretcher before spitting directly at Weber

Surveillance footage from Jackson Memorial Hospital showed the confrontation occur as Cruz was handcuffed to a stretcher before spitting directly at Weber

Webster then dives in and punches Cruz several times as other first responders intervene

Webster then dives in and punches Cruz several times as other first responders intervene 

The incident occurred in 2017 and led to six firefighters being fired. The firefighters involved included: Captain William Bryson, Lt. Alejandro Sese, Harold Santana, David Rivera, Kevin Meizoso and Justin Rumbaugh.

The incident occurred in 2017 and led to six firefighters being fired. The firefighters involved included: Captain William Bryson, Lt. Alejandro Sese, Harold Santana, David Rivera, Kevin Meizoso and Justin Rumbaugh.

The incident occurred in 2017 and led to six firefighters being fired. The firefighters involved included: Captain William Bryson, Lt. Alejandro Sese, Harold Santana, David Rivera, Kevin Meizoso and Justin Rumbaugh. 

At the time, Webster incident a ‘stupid’ betrayal of ‘brotherhood.’ 

‘I believe in this brotherhood that we throw around so much,’ he told the news outlet at the time. 

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