A 27-year-old man admitted to police that he killed his uncle, who was a Philadelphia firefighter, inside a Holmesburg home Wednesday morning, authorities said. 

Police identified the Philadelphia firefighter as 56-year-old Antonio Rodriguez.

Police said officers responded to the 4700 block of Shelmire Avenue just before 4 a.m. on reports of a disturbance involving a person with a gun. 

Officers arrived at the home and found the 27-year-old man behind a locked security gate on the front porch. He then allegedly told police that he had assaulted Rodriguez and killed him. 

Police said Rodriguez was pronounced dead at 4:13 a.m. His nephew was taken to the Philadelphia Police Department's Homicide Unit as part of the investigation.

His nephew was identified as Isaac Zayas. Police said Zayas was charged with murder and related offenses.

Daniel McCarty, the executive chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department, said Wednesday was a "rough day" as family, friends and colleagues of Rodriguez gathered on Shelmire Avenue.

"The Philadelphia Fire Department is heartbroken over the death of one of our members overnight," the department posted on X. "We are working closely with Philadelphia Police as they investigate. We ask that everyone keep the member's family and our colleagues in your thoughts as we process this tragedy."