Fatal Shooting Was an Accident, Ex-Deputy Says

Leslie Boileau, who says he knew better, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter
By Bob Cronin,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 22, 2024 10:30 AM CDT
Ex-Deputy Says Girlfriend Was Fatally Shot During 'Dry-Firing'
An Ocala Police Department cruiser sits parked following a shooting at Paddock Mall in Ocala, Fla., in December 2023.   (Jeff Walczak/Ocala Police Department via AP, File)

Leslie Boileau told Florida police that he and his girlfriend were "handling and dry-firing"—pulling the trigger on a gun that doesn't have ammunition—their weapons at home after dinner when one went off. She was shot in the head, NBC News reports. Ocala police said they arrived to find the woman with a handgun in her lap and a rifle nearby after Boileau called 911 to say he'd accidentally shot her. The former sheriff's deputy was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

An arrest affidavit says Boileau reported his girlfriend had asked him to teach her how to use a gun as they were cleaning the firearms. "While demonstrating the use of a rifle, Boileau accidentally discharged a loaded round, causing the fatal incident," police said. Physical evidence backed up that account, they said. According to the arrest report, Boileau told officers he knew, given his former job, that pointing a rifle at someone is wrong, per WCJB. "I know this looks really bad," the report quotes him as telling officers. (More fatal shooting stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X