A former volunteer firefighter has admitted to holding four colleagues hostage at the LaMott Fire Company in Cheltenham while armed with a handgun a day after he was expelled by the company’s board of governors.
Paul Anthony Jordan, 27, of the 400 block of West Wellens Avenue, Philadelphia, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court on Thursday to charges of kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, terroristic threats, possession of a weapon and simple assault in connection with the 10:30 a.m. March 31, 2015, incident at the firehouse on Penrose Avenue in the Elkins Park section of Cheltenham.
“At the time you entered the firehouse, you had a loaded 9 mm handgun concealed on your person. After entering the building, you went to the basement of the firehouse where the bunk room is located. Then, you pulled out the 9 mm firearm you had concealed on your waist. You proceeded to hold these four men captive in the basement of the firehouse for a period of at least 1 ½ hours. Is that correct?” Assistant District Attorney Lauren McNulty asked Jordan during an extensive question-and-answer session.
“Yes, ma’am,” Jordan answered politely to each question, admitting to the standoff that led to a heavy police response.