Local

Firefighter accused of vandalizing Orlando mural with anti-police messaging

ORLANDO, Fla. — A Seminole County firefighter is off the job for now after being arrested for allegedly tagging businesses and vandalizing a mural in Orlando.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Surveillance video from a Virginia Drive tattoo parlor on Feb. 27 shows Seminole County Firefighter Brian Baine, his girlfriend Miranda Buzzella and two others allegedly tagging businesses with ACAB stickers.

ACAB is an acronym for anti-law enforcement messaging.

Police said the pair is also responsible for vandalizing a mural with the same acronym on the Orlando Urban Trail in the Mills 50 District.

Read: Orlando man sentenced to federal prison for role in ‘brazen’ ATM burglary

Tattoo and graffiti artist Johnny Coppersnake said the stickers can cause damage to businesses.

“Trying to remove that sticker -- you’re messing up the whole vinyl,” he said. “The price of everything has gone up these days.”

Baine faces two felony charges and one misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief.

Read: Exclusive: Channel 9 speaks with Osceola teacher assaulted by 19-year-old student

He could lose his job as a firefighter and paramedic.

Baine is currently on unpaid leave while police continue to investigate the incident.

Seminole County Fire Chief Matt Kinley told Channel 9 the following:

Read: Florida’s 2023 legislative session: Lawmakers plan to tackle these 9 key issues

“We proudly work together with our fellow first responder families in law enforcement every day to serve our community. If there is evidence to support that this individual took any actions regarding vandalism that involved anti-law enforcement hate messaging -- make no mistake, it has absolutely no place in our organization.”

Buzzella faces the same charges as her boyfriend.

Baine was hired in November 2021 and is an unassigned floating firefighter in the Altamonte Springs area.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

Jason Kelly

Jason Kelly, WFTV.com

Jason Kelly joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2014. He serves as the station's Digital Executive Producer.

Jeff Levkulich

Jeff Levkulich, WFTV.com

Jeff Levkulich joined the Eyewitness News team as a reporter in June 2015.

0
Comments on this article
0