TX Deputy Fire Marshal Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Firefighter

A Texas deputy fire marshal is accused of fatally shooting an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter.

University of Houston Deputy Marshal Joshua Hahn was arrested by the Waller County Sheriff's Office, KHOU-TV reports. He was charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Tri-County volunteer firefighter Douglas Smith.

The shooting happened shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday. According to authorities, Hahn and Smith were at a party at the time, but investigators have not released details about what led to the shooting.

Hahn has been with the UH Fire Marshal's office since 2018, and he's a certified fire inspector, investigator and paramedic. He also serves as a Waller County volunteer firefighter and works as a forensic photographer and administrative training for the Department of Homeland Security's Bomb-Making Awareness Program.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help Smith's family pay funeral expenses. The Tri-County Fire Department will still hold its fundraiser event, Thunder Bash, this weekend, and a memorial area for Smith will be set up for people to pay their respects.