By FireRescue1 Staff
GRINDSTONE, Pa. — A fire captain has been charged with criminal homicide after allegedly shooting and killing a 16-year-old junior firefighter inside a fire station Sunday.
Republic Volunteer Fire Company Capt. George Matis Jr., 21, was arrested and booked in county jail, reported ABC. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 7, according to court documents.
Police said junior firefighter Parker Hess was shot in the face and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Matis and Hess were together in the fire station’s business office when Matis “removed a Glock model 17.9 millimeter caliber pistol from a holster that he was wearing and caused the pistol to discharge a bullet in the direction of Hess,” reported WTAE.
Police are examining whether the shooting may have been accidental, according to the Herald-Standard.
“Most people believe there wasn’t any tension or anything between them,” State Police Trooper Adam Janosko said.
Janosko said Matis owned the gun and had a valid concealed carry permit.
#BREAKING: 16-year-old junior firefighter shot & killed inside Republic Volunteer Fire Company in Redstone Township. Stay w @WPXI. pic.twitter.com/hjNjLV4kLr
— Mike Holden (@WPXIMikeHolden) November 28, 2016