BINGHAMTON, NY (607NewsNow) – A Binghamton man will spend time behind bars.

On April 6, Patrick Shea will be sentenced on charges of arson and manslaughter.

The 37-year-old started the fire that killed Binghamton Firefighter John “JR” Gaudet on February 12, 2025. Shea, who was homeless at the time and admitted to lighting the fire in a vacant building to keep warm, was arrested on March 13, 2025.

On February 12, 2025, Binghamton Firefighter John “JR” Gaudet was killed in the line of duty.

Fox 40 reports that Shea, who was originally charged with second-degree murder, pleaded guilty to arson and manslaughter in January 2026.

Gaudet was an 11-year veteran of the Binghamton Fire Department and father of three. He has been added to the NYS Fallen Firefighters Memorial, and recently had a park named in his honor.