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EMT Shoots Friends Then Administers First Aid

ABINGTON — A Boston EMT has been accused of shooting two of his friends after a night of drinking at a fund-raiser before grabbing his medical kit and helping to administer first aid.

The EMT, Rhys Williams, 41, is accused of shooting two brothers during an argument early Sunday morning after he was thrown out of the party. Both brothers are expected to survive, although Paul Brinkman, 36, remains in poor condition at South Shore Hospital after being shot in the chest.

When police arrived at 7:46 a.m. on Bates Street, Williams stood with gauze in his hand while the victims’ wives gave their husbands first aid.

“I certainly find it disturbing that somebody with an EMS background trained to save lives would do this,” said Chief David G. Majenski of the Abington Police Department at a press conference this morning.

The Dorchester resident was arraigned today in Brockton District Court on charges that include two counts of armed with intent to murder or maim, two counts of assault and battery with dangerous weapon, and carrying a firearm while intoxicated. He was ordered held until a dangerousness hearing Thursday.

Williams has worked for Boston EMS since 2002, but had been out on leave because of a shoulder injury. When the department learned of his arrest, Williams was placed on administrative leave, according to a statement released by Boston EMS.

The events that led to the shooting began on Saturday night at the Norwood Elks Club, where Williams had helped the two Brinkman brothers organize a fund-raiser for the family of a third brother, Mark Brinkman, who died in May after a brief illness.

Mark Brinkman worked for Boston EMS and the benefit, which cost $20 at the door, raised money for a scholarship fund for his son, according to a posting on Facebook, the soical networking site.

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