A teenage volunteer firefighter was fatally shot inside a fire station as he prepared for a community light parade Sunday night, officials said.<\/span><\/p>\n The 16-year-old Brownsville Area High School sophomore was shot and killed inside the Redstone Township firehouse in Fayette County, Pa., fire officials told the WPXI-TV.<\/span><\/p>\n A fire official with the Republic Volunteer Fire Company initially said the shooting was accidental, the report stated.<\/span><\/p>\n A 21-year-old man identified as George Matis, of Republic, was later charged with criminal homicide in the teen\u2019s death, according to the TV station.<\/span><\/p>\n The boy was not immediately identified and it’s unclear if the victim knew the suspect.<\/span><\/p>\n Following the incident, firefighters canceled the ‘Light Up Night’ parade as the community expressed condolences on the department’s social media page.<\/span><\/p>\n “Thoughts and prayers go out for the members of the department, the families and all involved in the tragic incident,” Facebook user Jay T. Reid wrote.<\/span><\/p>\n “Station 23 sends our condolences to your department. In deep sadness, RIP Brother, we’ll take it from here,” another user, Kevin Gegerly, wrote.<\/span><\/p>\n “Sending prayers from a firefighter’s sister and aunt,” user Colleen McLane added.<\/span><\/p>\n Officials say some firefighters were inside the firehouse preparing for the parade at the time, according to the station.<\/span><\/p>\n “We are saddened to hear of the loss of one of our students,” Brownsville School District Superintendent Philip Savini said in a statement, adding that counseling sessions would be available for students and faculty members once classes resume on Tuesday.<\/span><\/p>\n Neither the Republic Volunteer Fire Company nor the Pennsylvania State Police Department immediately responded to a request for comment.<\/span><\/p>\n Source:\u00a0http:\/\/www.nydailynews.com\/news\/crime\/16-year-old-junior-firefighter-fatally-shot-fire-station-article-1.2889171<\/span><\/p>\n