Cop Unintentionally Shoots Good friend Lifeless Whereas Taking part in Video Video games

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 mentioned.

Early Saturday morning, Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Lawson referred to as 911 and advised the dispatcher that he had by chance fired a spherical at his colleague Austin Walsh, 23, and required pressing help.

In a Fb video posted on Sunday, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey mentioned Lawson and Walsh had been enjoying a web based online game simply earlier than the tragic capturing occurred.

Officer “Jokingly” Pointed Gun At Good friend, Roommate, And Pulled Set off Considering He’d Unloaded The Firearm

Lawson reportedly advised investigators that he “jokingly” pointed a gun at Walsh earlier than pulling the set off, all whereas beneath 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 enjoying a web based recreation with quite a lot of their buddies and have been simply type of standing round speaking. Lawson was holding a handgun, which he believed he had unloaded and at one level of their dialog, Lawson, considering that the gun was unloaded, jokingly pointed the gun in Austin’s path and pulled the set off,” Ivey mentioned.

In the meantime, Lawson was taken into custody on a no-bond warrant by brokers with the Florida Division of Regulation Enforcement on costs of manslaughter, in accordance with Sheriff Ivey’s Fb submit.

Lawson turned himself in on Sunday and has since been charged with manslaughter, WESH reviews.

“Austin and Andrew have been the perfect of buddies and Andrew was fully devastated over what occurred,” Ivey mentioned in a Fb submit. “Even with that, there isn’t any excuse for this tragic and completely avoidable loss of life.”

Unintended Capturing Sufferer 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 changing into a police officer.

“Man, Austin was such an awesome child,” Ivey mentioned. “Our hearts are damaged at his loss. He shall be deeply missed by our company, our neighborhood, and our prayers are together with his household.”

Ivey added that Lawson had been deeply “distraught” on the scene of the capturing, and instantly cooperated with responding officers.

Sheriff Defends Accused Deputy As A “Nice Child” Who “Sadly Made A Horrible Determination”

He referred to as the accused deputy “an awesome child,” who “sadly made a horrible choice.”

“Andrew, he’s an awesome child,” Ivey mentioned. “Who sadly made a horrible and irresponsible choice that has perpetually impacted the lives of so many.”

The capturing reportedly passed off whereas each officers have been off-duty.

In the meantime, Ivey described Walsh as a treasured member of the company’s household, asking that the general public hold him — in addition to his family members, company and neighborhood — in its ideas and prayers.