Tyrone’s Neptune Fire Company Chief Ray E. Stringer’s death in Cambria County has led to homicide charges for a 29-year old Nanty Glo man.
George Lightcap has been charged in the early Friday morning death of the 43-year old long-time firefighter.
Stringer was injured in an altercation at the Nanty Glo VFW. Authorities said the incident occurred at a “private bar” on the property.
Stringer was attending an annual firefighters convention in Nanty Glo. The incident did not happen during any formal convention activities. Mr. Stringer had gone to the VFW after attending the convention on Thursday.
He was taken by medical helicopter to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center’s emergency room. He was pronounced dead at 2:24 a.m. at the trauma center.
An autopsy was conducted this morning at the hospital according to Cambria County Coroner Denny Kwiatkowski. Stringer’s death was attributed to asphyxiation due to head trauma. Kwiatkowski stated Stringer suffered blunt force injury to the brain. He said it was “a bludgeoning death.”
Kwiatkowski explained, “There are indications there was more than one blow.”
He said the injuries were “basically to the head” and not to the body.
The coroner said the death was ruled a homicide.
The Cambria County 9-1-1 call center received the initial report at 1:14 a.m. with Nanty Glo and Black Lick Valley responding to the scene.
Kwiatkowski said no weapon was used on Stringer, but the injuries were caused “apparently (with) fists.”
Alcohol appeared to be a factor in the incident. Kwiatkowski said Mr. Stringer’s blood alcohol content was .20.
Kwiatkowski could not answer questions about whether Stringer knew his assailant or if there had been any previous animosity between the. He did say he did not think Lightcap was associated with any fire companies in attendance at the convention. It was also unclear if Lightcap had been at the bar for a while or had just entered it prior to the incident.
The Associated Press reported police officer William Hines said the fight stemmed from an argument between 1 and 2 a.m. in a doorway just outside the bar in the Nanty-Glo Veterans of Foreign Wars building,
“Mr. Lightcap punched Mr. Stringer. He went down on the ground and Mr. Lightcap hit him a few more times,” Hines said. “Without a doubt, both of them were drinking.”
Stringer was in Nanty-Glo for the Central District Volunteer Fireman’s Convention. Event officials said Stringer’s death was not connected with anyone involved with the convention.
Kwiatkowski said it was believed only Stringer and Lightcap were involved in the incident but that point was still under investigation.
Cambria County’s assistant District Attorney Gary Costlow said a general homicide charge was being filed against Lightcap.
At an afternoon press conference, Costlow said Lightcap had been arraigned earlier in day on the homicide charge. His office also planned to file an additional charge of aggravated assault. Lightcap faced an additional arraignment later on Friday for that charge.
Costlow said Lightcap was injured in the altercation but he did not know the extent of those injuries.
Costlow said he was aware of witnesses to the incident but his office had yet to interview them. Nanty Glo Police were also continuing their investigation and looking for additional witnesses. Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward with any information.
Lightcap had consented to a blood-alcohol content test but the results of that test were unknown as of the press conference. Lightcap was being lodged in the Cambria County Jail. A preliminary hearing for Lightcap was scheduled for Monday. Authorities said that hearing would most likely be continued to another day.
The Associated Press said it it was not immediately clear whether Lightcap had an attorney.
Stringer was attending the annual Central District Fireman’s Convention as a delegate. Kwiatkowski said Stringer who lived on Adams Avenue in Tyrone was divorced and had children.
The Neptune Fire Company on Lincoln Avenue was draped with black across its logo and its fire vehicles this afternoon.
A member of the Neptune Department declined to be interviewed at the station. He said it would be at least “a couple of days” before there was any further comment from fire company officials.
Earlier on Friday, Tyrone Borough Manager Sharon Dannaway said she could not offer any official statement. She did say, “It’s sad that something like that had to happen to someone so young and with such great potential.”
Dannaway also noted Mr. Stringer had provided a great service to the community as chief of the Neptune Fire Company.
No funeral arrangements for Stringer had been announced as of press time Friday night.
