A younger Florida deputy was by chance shot and killed by his pal and roommate – additionally a police officer – after the 2 took a break from enjoying movies video games collectively, officers stated.
Early Saturday morning, Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Lawson known as 911 and informed the dispatcher that he had by chance fired a spherical at his colleague Austin Walsh, 23, and required pressing help.
In a Facebook video posted on Sunday, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey stated Lawson and Walsh had been enjoying an internet online game simply earlier than the tragic capturing occurred.
Officer “Jokingly” Pointed Gun At Friend, Roommate, And Pulled Trigger Thinking He’d Unloaded The Firearm
Lawson reportedly informed investigators that he “jokingly” pointed a gun at Walsh earlier than pulling the set off, all whereas below the impression that he had beforehand unloaded the firearm.
Authorities say Walsh was struck as soon as and died on the scene.
“He and Austin had taken a break from playing an online game with a number of their friends and were just kind of standing around talking. Lawson was holding a handgun, which he believed he had unloaded and at one point in their conversation, Lawson, thinking that the gun was unloaded, jokingly pointed the gun in Austin’s direction and pulled the trigger,” Ivey stated.
Meanwhile, Lawson was taken into custody on a no-bond warrant by brokers with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on prices of manslaughter, in response to Sheriff Ivey’s Facebook submit.
Lawson turned himself in on Sunday and has since been charged with manslaughter, WESH reviews.
“Austin and Andrew were the best of friends and Andrew was completely devastated over what happened,” Ivey stated in a Facebook submit. “Even with that, there is no excuse for this tragic and totally avoidable death.”
Florida | Deputy Austin Walsh, 23, was by chance shot lifeless by his police roommate on Saturday morning in his Palm Bay, Florida residence.
The two have been finest buddies. pic.twitter.com/RPrswWkQwc
— 🅢🅘🅡 🅝🅔🅡🅓🅨 🅐🅓🅓🅘🅒🅣.pdf (@SirNerdyAddict) December 5, 2022
Accidental Shooting Victim Fulfilled Lifelong Dream Of Being Cop After Enrolling In Cadet Program At 18
Sheriff Ivey went on to say that Walsh began with the Brevard County company on the age of 18 after enrolling in a cadet program, fulfilling a lifelong dream of turning into a police officer.
“Man, Austin was such a great kid,” Ivey stated. “Our hearts are broken at his loss. He will be deeply missed by our agency, our community, and our prayers are with his family.”
Ivey added that Lawson had been deeply “distraught” on the scene of the capturing, and instantly cooperated with responding officers.
So tragic. @SheriffIvey
says this man, 23 yr previous Brevard Co. Sheriff’s Deputy, Austin Walsh, was by chance shot and killed by his roommate, Deputy Andrew Lawson. Lawson pointed what he thought was an unloaded gun at Walsh and fired. Lawson is now charged with manslaughter. pic.twitter.com/0lFYBcCIwy— Amanda Dukes (@AmandaDukesWESH) December 5, 2022
Sheriff Defends Accused Deputy As A “Great Kid” Who “Sadly Made A Horrible Decision”
He known as the accused deputy “a great kid,” who “sadly made a horrible decision.”
“Andrew, he’s a great kid,” Ivey stated. “Who sadly made a horrible and irresponsible decision that has forever impacted the lives of so many.”
The capturing reportedly passed off whereas each officers have been off-duty.
Meanwhile, Ivey described Walsh as a treasured member of the company’s household, asking that the general public maintain him — in addition to his family members, company and group — in its ideas and prayers.