In what the sheriff described as an “extremely dumb and totally avoidable accident,” a Florida sheriff’s deputy accidentally shot and killed his roommate, a fellow deputy.
According to Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, deputy Andrew Lawson called 911 early Saturday to report that he had accidentally shot his roommate, 23-year-old deputy Austin Walsh, who died from a single gunshot wound.
The sheriff said the two deputies were “the best of friends.”
According to Ivey, Lawson told officials that he and Walsh had taken a break from playing an online game and were “standing about, chatting,” while Lawson had a pistol that he “believed he had emptied.”
“Towards one point during their talk, Lawson, believing the revolver was empty, playfully aimed the rifle at Austin and fired the trigger,” Ivey said.
“There is no excuse for this tragic and totally avoidable death,” the sheriff said.
Lawson was taken into custody on Sunday on a manslaughter charge, according to the sheriff. His arraignment was set for Monday.
Lawson, who was “fully cooperative” in the investigation, is “distraught and devastated,” Ivey said. The sheriff called him a “great kid who sadly made a horrible and irresponsible decision that has forever impacted the lives of so many.”
Walsh, who had been with the sheriff’s office since he was 18, “was passionate about his job and loved his community,” Ivey said.
“Austin was such a great kid,” Ivey said. “Our hearts are broken.”
the main source of the news: ABC News
