A Florida deputy has been charged with manslaughter after he accidentally shot and killed his girlfriend while cleaning his gun.
According to a news release from the Ocala Police Department, Leslie Boileau, a Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy, called 9-1-1 on the night of Thursday, Sept. 19, to report that he had accidentally shot his girlfriend.
“Upon arrival, officers found the victim with a fatal gunshot wound to her forehead. A 9mm handgun was observed on the victim’s lap, and a rifle was also present at the scene,” the news release states.
Marion County Florida Sheriff’s office sign.
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Per the release, Boileau told officers during questioning that the shooting was “accidental,” expressing that it occurred as he and his girlfriend were “handling and dry-firing the firearms.”
“Dry-firing” is shooting a firearm without ammunition in the chamber.
Boileau said that the two had gotten home from dinner when they opened a package with gun cleaning supplies and began cleaning them.
According to an arrest report obtained by FOX 13, Boileau stated that during the process, he “grabbed the rifle and dry-fired it one time,” and on the second dry-fire attempt, he “had forgotten that he placed the loaded magazine into the rifle, which shot one live round in the direction of (his girlfriend), ultimately killing her.”
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The deputy allegedly said that he and his girlfriend had done similar training and told officers at the scene, “I know this looks really bad. I told her I did not want this to happen,” reports FOX 13.
The Ocala Police Department said that a search warrant was executed at Boileau’s residence, corroborating his account with physical evidence found at the scene.
“In light of these findings, Leslie Boileau has been arrested for manslaughter for his role in the fatal shooting,” states the department’s news release.
In a press release shared with us, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said Boileau is being held in the Marion County Jail without bond. He was “immediately terminated” from the department, where he had served eight years as a deputy sheriff.
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Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a statement included in the release: “We are heartbroken for the family and friends of the victim. Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers do their job commendably every day. But unfortunately, the tragic actions of just one are felt through the entire law enforcement community. The Ocala Police Department has the support of of my office as they continue to finish their investigation of this tragic incident.”
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken also issued a statement expressing his condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones and stating that the “Ocala Police Department is working with the State Attorney’s Office to ensure justice is served.”
