Fire capt. accused of fatally shooting teen volunteer firefighter
GRINDSTONE, Pa. -- A 21-year-old fire captain has been charged in connection with the shooting death of a 16-year-old junior firefighter inside a Pennsylvania fire station.
State police say George Matis, Jr., of Republic, has been charged with criminal homicide. It’s unclear if he has an attorney.
Authorities say the unidentified teenager was shot Sunday at the Republic Volunteer Fire Company in Redstone Township in Fayette County, about 45 miles south of Pittsburgh.
State police charging documents obtained by CBS Pittsburgh allege Matis pulled a Glock pistol from his holster and fired once at the teen inside the building’s business office.
Redstone Township police responding to a report that someone had been shot inside the fire station found the teen with a gunshot wound to the face. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The fire company said on its Facebook page that a parade and other events scheduled for Sunday night had been canceled “due to an emergency.”
CBS Pittsburgh reports the victim’s body was removed from the building around 11:30 p.m. and a procession of fire apparatus accompanied the ambulance.
