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PALMDALE (CNS) - A private “flag ceremony'' was held today for Los Angeles County firefighter Tory Carlon, who was shot and killed by a colleague.
The 10 a.m. ceremony was held at Fire Station 131 in Palmdale, which was one of Carlon's final assignments. The shooting occurred on June 1 at Fire Station 81 in Agua Dulce, where Carlon was assigned at the time he was shot.
The flag that was displayed as part of Tuesday's ceremony had been displayed at both fire stations, and was lowered as an honor guard stood at attention and Taps was played.
On Thursday, an invitation-only memorial service will be held at the Forum in Inglewood. Expected to be on hand are Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Daryl Osby, county Supervisor Kathryn Barger, other invited dignitaries and Carlon's family. The 10 a.m. service will be streamed on the department's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/LACoFD.
Carlon, 44, was shot multiple times at Fire Station 81 in the 8700 block of Sierra Highway on June 1 by off-duty firefighter Jonathan Patrick Tatone, 45. A 54-year-old fire captain was also seriously injured in the shooting.
Tatone then drove to his home in Acton about 10 miles from the station and set fire to the structure. He was later found dead in the home's backyard of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
The Los Angeles Times, citing two sources with knowledge of the situation, reported that there was an ongoing dispute between Carlon and Tatone. The sources told The Times the dispute was apparently over the way the station was run and maintained, and the pair had argued in the past about various issues.
Carlon is survived by his wife Heidi and their three daughters.
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