Former Florida sheriff’s deputy, Leslie Boileau, was arrested for manslaughter after accidentally shooting his girlfriend at their home in Ocala. Boileau called 911 to report the incident, stating that they had been handling and dry-firing firearms when the shooting occurred. He explained that he accidentally discharged a loaded round while demonstrating the use of a rifle, resulting in the fatal incident. Boileau told police that his girlfriend had asked him to teach her how to use the gun.
Physical evidence found during a search warrant corroborated Boileau’s account, leading to his arrest for manslaughter. The Ocala Police Department described the shooting as a tragic incident and Chief Mike Balken offered his condolences to the victim’s family. Boileau had been a deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for eight years but was terminated immediately after the incident. The gun used in the shooting was not his work firearm.
Sheriff Billy Woods expressed his sorrow for the victim’s family and stated that the actions of one officer impact the entire law enforcement community. The Ocala Police Department has the support of Woods’ office as they continue their investigation into the tragic incident. The case highlights the importance of gun safety and the potential consequences of mishandling firearms.
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