A volunteer firefighter was shot and killed late Dec. 31 inside a Hempfield Township home where he was having dinner with a woman’s estranged husband watching from outside, police said. The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Robert D. Naugle Jr., was arrested and charged with criminal homicide after officers found the 47-year-old victim fatally wounded.
Officials said the killing unfolded as New Year’s Eve plans unraveled between Naugle and his estranged wife, who lives at the residence. Investigators said the couple had separated days earlier and that Naugle went to the home, entered and opened fire during the meal. Four children were inside the house, including an infant in a crib, according to police. The case is drawing wide attention in Westmoreland County as detectives piece together a timeline from witness statements, phone records and nearby cameras to determine how the suspect got to the home, how many shots were fired and whether any prior threats were reported.
Police identified the slain man as James Thomas, 47, a firefighter from the Bradenville area. Officers were called shortly before midnight and found Thomas unresponsive with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said Naugle moved out of the residence two days before the shooting and had previously discussed meeting his estranged wife on Dec. 31, plans that did not happen. Detectives said the assailant “never said a word” during the attack, based on accounts from the home. Children present were not physically injured. “This was not random,” a department spokesperson said, noting the adults all knew each other.
Authorities detained Naugle soon after the shooting and recovered evidence from the house and yard. Officials did not release the caliber of the weapon or the total number of rounds collected. Detectives are reviewing doorbell and security video from nearby homes and businesses and have requested phone data tied to the hours around the killing. The investigation remains active, and police did not announce additional suspects. Thomas’ colleagues in the local fire service described him as a steady presence at calls and training nights; departments across Westmoreland County shared brief memorial posts honoring his service.
Neighbors said the home sits on a quiet residential street not far from Route 30, where patrol cars clustered around the cul-de-sac as the new year approached. Several residents reported hearing rapid pops and then screams before sirens flooded the block. A woman who lives two doors down said she saw officers usher children from the doorway to a waiting cruiser. “It was supposed to be a celebration,” she said. “Instead, the whole street went silent.” By morning, a small line of candles and a firefighter’s patch appeared near the mailbox.
The case arrives amid seasonal spikes in domestic-related calls around the holidays, local officials said, though they did not cite specific statistics for Hempfield Township. Court records show Naugle had recently initiated divorce proceedings; the broader file, including any prior police responses to the address, had not been fully released. Fire service leaders in Westmoreland County said they would coordinate with the victim’s department on honors and support. A funeral home notice is expected to post once arrangements are set, colleagues said.
Prosecutors charged Naugle with criminal homicide shortly after his arrest. An initial appearance in Westmoreland County court is expected in the coming days, followed by a preliminary hearing to determine probable cause. Officials said additional counts, including offenses related to endangering the welfare of children, could be considered depending on the evidence. Autopsy results for Thomas will be reviewed by detectives and may be cited in charging documents. Authorities said they plan further updates after lab work and witness interviews are complete.
By Thursday afternoon, police tape had been removed from the house but a patrol car periodically cruised the street. At the local fire station where Thomas volunteered, a flag flew at half-staff and a black ribbon was draped over his locker. “He showed up, did the work and cared about people,” a fellow firefighter said. “That’s how we’ll remember him.”
As of Thursday evening, Naugle remained in custody. The next public milestone is a preliminary hearing date to be set by the Westmoreland County court. Funeral details for Thomas will be released by his department and family once finalized.
Author note: Last updated January 9, 2026.