Police: Republic shooting suspect, victim were ‘good friends’
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard The Republic Volunteer Fire Company’s flag flies at half-staff for 16-year-old Parker Hess, a sophomore at Brownsville Area High School, who shot and killed on Sunday evening at the fire hall during preparations for the town’s Light-Up Night. 21-year-old George A. Matis, Jr. has been charged with criminal homicide and is housed in the Fayette County Jail pending a preliminary hearing.
Matis Jr.
Parker Hess displayed his junior firefighter helmet on his Facebook page.
Hess
Kelly Tunney | Herald-Standard
16-year-old Parker Hess, a sophomore at Brownsville Area High School, was shot and killed on Sunday evening at the Republic Volunteer Fire Company during preparations for the town’s Light-Up Night. 21-year-old George A. Matis, Jr. has been charged with criminal homicide and is housed in the Fayette County Jail pending a preliminary hearing.
A Republic junior firefighter who was planning to participate in the town’s Light Up Night parade Sunday was instead escorted by first responders to the hospital after he was fatally shot.
Republic fire Chief John Duke said 16-year-old Parker Hess was preparing for the festivities when he was shot and killed in the volunteer fire company’s business office inside the Republic Road station.
After unsuccessful attempts to treat the teen, police, firefighters and ambulance crews escorted his body to Uniontown Hospital.
“We wanted to make sure that he got what he deserved and all he worked hard for,” Duke said.
Police allege that Republic firefighter George Anthony Matis Jr., 21, of Republic shot Hess at about 4 p.m. Sunday during preparations for Light Up Night, which were subsequently cancelled. Matis is charged with criminal homicide and recklessly endangering another person.
State police said Matis and Hess were “good friends,” according to witness accounts. They are investigating whether the shooting may have been accidental.
Matis removed a 9mm Glock pistol from a holster and “caused the pistol to discharge a bullet in the direction of Hess,” according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in his case.
Police said a single bullet hit Hess in the left cheek, causing uncontrolled bleeding. Emergency personnel treated Hess, who later died on the scene.
Redstone Township police Officer John Brant arrived on the scene to find Hess unconscious and unresponsive, according to court documents.
Trooper Adam Janosko said police interviewed witnesses, family and friends and examined physical evidence, but could not interview Matis about the events leading up to the shooting because he invoked his right to an attorney.
“Most people believe there wasn’t any tension or anything between them,” he said.
Janosko said it appears Matis owned the gun and had a valid concealed carry permit.
“It’s just unfortunate, and we’ll see how it pans out,” he said.
Duke remembered Hess as an exemplary firefighter. He said the teen was in the department’s future firefighter’s program until Nov. 22 when he turned 16 and officially became a junior firefighter.
“It was nothing short of spectacular for a young man to have that kind of commitment and that kind of desire,” he said.
Duke said he was proud to watch Hess develop and mature his skills. He said he was especially impressed with the “skill and grace” he used in combating a fire at Laschen’s Lawn Care and Landscaping, formerly Andy Johnson’s Tires, in the township Nov. 21.
“He made me smile,” he said. “He knew what he was doing, and he was going to be good.”
Duke said Hess also had a close-knit group of friends and was committed to his family. He said the 16-year-old would help his grandparents in any way he could, caring for his grandfather and taking him to doctor’s appointments.
He said Hess brought fun to the department’s fundraisers, and never turned down a task.
“I can’t stress it enough. He would do whatever you asked him to do,” he said. “He wouldn’t look at you and frown upon certain tasks. He knew his role and what was asked.”
Duke said he has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support the Republic fire company has received from neighboring fire departments and other organizations.
“The brotherhood, the fraternity really became apparent when this terrible tragedy happened. You don’t realize it’s there until you see it first hand,” he said.
Hess was a sophomore at Brownsville Area High School. Superintendent Dr. Phil Savini said counselors will be available for students and staff when they return to school from the Thanksgiving break Tuesday.
“He was a good student and had a very nice rapport with students and staff,” he said. “We’re certainly going to miss him.”
Matis was arraigned Sunday night before Magisterial District Judge Ronald Haggerty Jr. and lodged in Fayette County Prison without bond.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 7 before Magisterial District Judge Mike Defino Jr.