2 Dallas firefighters shot in Arizona after attending Super Bowl

08:31 PM CST on Monday, February 4, 2008
By STEVE THOMPSON / The Dallas Morning News
stevethompson@dallasnews.com


Two Dallas firefighters were seriously hurt in a drive-by shooting early Monday as they walked from a bar to their hotel in Peoria, Ariz., after the Super Bowl.

Charles Whitaker, 38, and Reginald Cuington, 43, were heading back to their room between 1 and 2 a.m. when a car pulled up and someone inside opened fire.


Charles Whitaker

Reginald Cuington
Both men were taken to a hospital. Mr. Whitaker had life-threatening injuries.

"He did make it through surgery OK, but he's not completely out of the woods yet," said Mike Tellef, a Peoria police spokesman.

Mr. Cuington was shot in the leg, Mr. Tellef said. "He's going through some surgery as well, but he'll be all right."

The pair watched the football game at a bar in Peoria's entertainment district and were returning to the Comfort Suites. Police weren't sure Monday why someone might have shot them.

Police believe a likely explanation would be that they had gotten into an argument earlier, but investigators found no evidence of that.

"We've talked to the bar people twice now, and both times they told us, 'No, they were here, they were great customers, they weren't causing any problems,' " Mr. Tellef said. "So we're kind of at a loss as to why this happened."

Mr. Whitaker is a 14-year veteran of the department, and Mr. Cuington is a 17-year veteran. Dallas Fire-Rescue officials said that they were doing what they could to help the men's families and that at least a couple of firefighters were headed to see the men in Arizona.

"Usually we're the people that respond to these types of situations, and we're the ones that want to make a difference," said Lt. Joel Lavender, a fire department spokesman. "It hurts us because right now, all we can do is pray."

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Dallas firefighters mourn colleague killed on Super Bowl trip

09:05 PM CST on Wednesday, February 6, 2008
By STEVE THOMPSON and KIMBERLY DURNAN / The Dallas Morning News
stevethompson@dallasnews.com; kdurnan@dallasnews.com


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It was supposed to be a quick weekend getaway in Arizona – see the Super Bowl, maybe catch a round of golf, then come back relaxed and happy.

But Charles "Chucky" Whitaker is not coming back. And now, his wife, his teenage daughter, a stepson who recently joined the Navy, and an extended family of Dallas firefighters are left to wonder why.

The 38-year-old firefighter was put on life support after a drive-by shooting early Monday that seriously injured him and a colleague. Police in Peoria, Ariz., say that doctors pronounced Mr. Whitaker dead early Wednesday.

His family stood by his bedside as the life-support devices were removed, Dallas Fire Chief Eddie Burns said.


Charles Whitaker

Reginald Cuington
"We do not claim to understand the issues surrounding this tragic incident that led to the untimely demise of our brother," the chief said Wednesday. "What I can tell you is that Charles 'Chucky' Whitaker led a life rich in meaning. His contribution to the department and to the city has touched many lives."

A longtime friend, Eric McNairy, said Mr. Whitaker wasn't the type to be involved in a fight. He had spoken to Mr. Whitaker over the phone not long before the shooting, he said, and his friend was in high spirits.

"They were having a good time," Mr. McNairy said. "We were actually talking about how we could get back out there and play golf."

But then it happened at 1:50 a.m. Monday, after Mr. Whitaker and fellow firefighter Reginald Cuington watched the Super Bowl in a sports bar. They were walking back through the Phoenix suburb's entertainment district toward their room in a Comfort Suites hotel. Police say a car pulled up, and someone inside opened fire.

Mr. Whitaker was shot in the leg, chest and head. Lt. Cuington, who was shot in the leg, made his way back to their hotel to get help. Both were taken to area hospitals.

The bar's staff told investigators that the pair were good customers, and they did not appear to trade harsh words with anyone.

"We've gone back, re-interviewed people, everything, and we are not coming up with anything," said Mike Tellef of the Peoria police. "There doesn't seem to have been any arguments, disputes, no fights – nothing."

Lt. Cuington, a 17-year veteran of Dallas Fire-Rescue, remained in stable condition Wednesday.

Mr. Whitaker, a 14-year department veteran, had wanted to be a firefighter since growing up in southern Dallas, according to Mr. McNairy. Fun-loving and outgoing, he was a kid from a sometimes-rough neighborhood who grew up to be a positive force for his community.

"His sense of duty and mission to protect the citizens, and his fellow firefighters, and more importantly his family, will never be forgotten," Chief Burns said. "The city of Dallas and the Dallas Fire-Rescue department have lost a hero."

Mr. Whitaker still stayed connected in spirit to his old neighborhood. He would greet his friends loudly, "What the business is?" Then he'd laugh.

"Chucky was a stand-up guy, and he's going to be missed," Mr. McNairy said. "I don't know how you replace a friend like that."

Accounts have been set up to help Lt. Cuington and the family of Mr. Whitaker. For more information, call the City Credit Union at 214-515-0100
Dallas Firefighter Dies After Drive-By Shooting

Last Edited: Wednesday, 06 Feb 2008, 3:17 PM CST
Created: Wednesday, 06 Feb 2008, 6:27 AM CST

Charles E. Whitaker SideBar


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Dallas Firefighters Shot Attending Super Bowl



One of two Dallas firefighters shot while visiting a Phoenix suburb on a Super Bowl trip passed away Tuesday.

Charles "Chucky" Whitaker, 38, was taken off life support Tuesday. He was shot in the leg, chest and head in a drive-by shooting on Monday.

Whitaker was in Phoenix for the Super Bowl along with his friend, Lt. Reginald Cuington, 43.

Cuington is in good condition.

Peoria police spokesman Mike Tellef said investigators were trying to figure out if the shooting resulted from some sort of altercation earlier in the day.

There have been no arrests, but an investigation is ongoing.

Lt. Joel Lavender said funeral arrangements have not yet been made, but that members of the public were welcome to visit the fire station to pay condolences.

For those who wish to offer assistance to the families of the firefighters, the following account information is offered:

Reginald Cuington:
All donations to assist Reginald Cuington and Family can be sent to:
Dallas Fire Rescue Firefighter Assistance for Reginald Cuington & Family
MAIL TO: City Credit Union - ATTN Jack Coffey 7474 Ferguson Rd. - Dallas, TX 75228
Account Number: 1184340

Family of Charles Whitaker:
All donations to assist the Charles Whitaker Family should be made to
Dallas Fire Rescue Firefighter Memorial for Charles E. Whitaker
MAIL TO: City Credit Union - ATTN Jack Coffey
7474 Ferguson Rd. - Dallas, TX 75228
Account Number: 1184350 JVL