A Florida deputy is charged with manslaughter after accidentally shooting and killing his fiancée while cleaning his gun.
According to an Ocala Police Department press release, Leslie Boileau, a Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy, called 9-1-1 on Thursday night, Sept. 19, to report that he had accidentally shot his girlfriend.
“When authorities arrived, they discovered the woman with a fatal gunshot wound to her forehead. According to the news release, a 9mm handgun was found on the victim’s lap, and a rifle was also present at the scene.
According to the release, Boileau informed officers during questioning that the incident was “accidental,” stating that it occurred when he and his girlfriend were “handling and dry-firing the firearms.”
“Dry-firing” refers to discharging a firearm with no ammo in the chamber. Boileau stated that when the two returned home from supper, they opened a package containing gun-cleaning tools 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.”
The deputy allegedly stated that he and his partner had undergone similar training and informed authorities on the scene, “I know this looks pretty horrible. “I told her I didn’t want this to happen,” says FOX 13.
According to the Ocala Police Department, a search warrant was conducted at Boileau’s apartment, supporting his claim with physical evidence discovered at the location.
“In light of these findings, Leslie Boileau has been arrested for manslaughter for his role in the fatal shooting,” according to the department’s press release.
According to a news release shared by PEOPLE, Boileau is being held without bond at the Marion County Jail. He was “immediately terminated” from the department, where he had spent eight years as a deputy sheriff.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a statement accompanied by the release: “We are heartbroken for the victim’s family and friends. Every day, tens of thousands of police officers perform admirably. Unfortunately, the sad actions of one individual have an impact on the whole law enforcement community. My office supports the Ocala Police Department as they continue to investigate this horrible tragedy.”
Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken also released a statement, offering his condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones and noting that the “Ocala Police Department is working with the State Attorney’s Office to ensure justice is served.”