Charges expected to be upgraded for man accused of attacking security guard, firefighters

DAYTON — A security guard is recovering from head injuries from what Dayton police called a violent assault.

>> RELATED: 3 injured after man allegedly attacks security guard, Dayton Fire crews

News Center 7 was the only crew in court as the suspect made his first appearance in front of a judge.

The attack happened inside of the Premier Health building on the Second Street side of the building.

Someone pulled a fire alarm inside the building late Saturday afternoon, and that had fire crews race to the building to look for smoke or flames.

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Firefighters suspected there might just be a false alarm as they walked into the building, but the first crews into the lobby spotted a badly injured security guard, and then almost immediately a man began assaulting them.

About a dozen firefighters who had responded to the alarm call made it inside, and a half dozen ended up with minor injuries trying to protect the security guard and themselves.

“That’s all they were doing, trying to protect themselves, again, we are not going to engage in police work or engaging a suspect,” said Deputy Chief Mike Rice with the Dayton Fire Department.

A spokesperson for the Dayton Police Department only identified the security guard as a 66-year-old woman.

Rice said the woman was mainly treated for injuries to the head. Police described her injuries as “serious.”

He also said about a half dozen firefighters had scrapes and cuts but only one needed to go to the hospital and has since been released. He’s proud of the way the crews quickly switched from firefighting mode to caring for a badly injured person and self-defense.

“That’s why we train our folks to have situational awareness because no matter what we think it is, it can always be something different,” Rice said.

Police did subdue the man when officers arrived.

He went to the hospital to be checked out, then was arrested.

He has been identified as James Fickling, and News Center 7 was the only crew there when he appeared in front of a Dayton Municipal Court Judge Monday afternoon. He only faced a misdemeanor charge in his first appearance, but his bond was set at $500,000 in cash or surety.

Police believe 25-year-old Fickling attacked the security guard and then the firefighters.

The only reason anyone learned about it is that either Fickling or the guard pulled a fire alarm and firefighters walked in on the scene.

“I don’t have information about weapons, it seemed like it was mostly fists and hands,” Rice said.

A Premier Health spokesperson told News Center 7 that the company “Takes very seriously the security of its facilities and the safety of our staff, tenants and visitors within these premises.”

News Center 7 obtained court records that indicate Fickling is expected to face seven felony charges. He is expected to appear in court again Tuesday.

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