Fayette fire captain sentenced in junior firefighter’s death
UNIONTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A volunteer fire captain has been sentenced to six to 23 months in jail in the shooting death of a junior firefighter at a Fayette County fire station last year.
Twenty-two-year-old George Matis Jr. pleaded guilty in July to involuntary manslaughter in the November 2016 shooting death of 16-year-old Parker Hess at the Republic Volunteer Fire Company.
State police said the two and others had gathered to prepare for a holiday celebration. Matis was removing his gun from a holster when it discharged, striking Hess.
Fayette County President Judge John F. Wagner Jr. said he thought long and hard before imposing sentence Friday. He said “Clearly, this was grossly negligent handling of a firearm.”
Defense attorney James Davis said his client was sincerely sorry and expressed condolences to Hess’ family.