A 21-year-old man has been charged with criminal homicide after a teenage boy died of a gunshot wound inside a fire department Sunday in Redstone Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania State Police said.
Officials with the Republic Volunteer Fire Department confirmed that the victim, whose name has not been released, was a 16-year-old junior firefighter who was a sophomore at Brownsville Area High School. A procession escorted his body from the fire station.
George Matis Jr., 21, of Republic, was charged with criminal homicide and recklessly endangering another person in connection with the shooting.
The Redstone Township Police Department received a report of a male suffering from a gunshot inside the Republic fire department around 4 p.m., according to a news release from state police in Belle Vernon. When police arrived, they found that the teen had been struck in the face by a bullet. The teen died at the scene.
Officials said there were other people in the firehouse at the time, preparing for the town’s Light Up Night, which was ultimately canceled.
When residents and the teen’s classmates heard about the incident, they rushed to the fire hall to pay their respects and offer support.
“You just can’t take any day for granted. It could be gone like that, you know?” said Nellree Burnham, who lives nearby. “Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with this family.”
Laci Savochka, a classmate of the victim, said the community needs to stay strong to get through the tragedy.
In a statement, Brownsville School District Superintendent Philip Savini said: “We are saddened to hear of the loss of one of our students. Our sympathies and support go out to the family. The district has scheduled counselors who are prepared to offer support to staff and students when school resumes Tuesday.”
Matis was arraigned and taken to the Fayette County Prison, where he is being held without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Dec. 7.
