Florida, September 21: A deputy in US’ Florida, Leslie Boileau, has been charged with manslaughter after accidentally shooting and killing his girlfriend while cleaning a firearm. The incident occurred on the night of Thursday, Sept. 19, when Boileau, a Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy, called 911 to report the fatal shooting.

According to a news release from the Ocala Police Department, officers arrived to find the victim with a gunshot wound to the forehead, a 9mm handgun on her lap, and a rifle at the scene. Boileau told police that the shooting was accidental, explaining that he and his girlfriend were “handling and dry-firing” firearms after returning home from dinner and opening a package of gun-cleaning supplies. US Shocker: Man Caught on Camera Performing Sex Act on Himself With Cucumber in Washington DC, Probe Launched After Video Surfaces.

Boileau stated that during the process, he dry-fired the rifle once, then accidentally fired a live round after forgetting that he had loaded the rifle with a magazine. The round struck his girlfriend, killing her instantly. US Shocker: Woman Caught on Camera Poisoning Husband’s Coffee With Bleach, Strikes Plea Deal to Avoid Prison.

Ocala police corroborated Boileau's account with physical evidence at the scene. Boileau was arrested for manslaughter and is being held in the Marion County Jail without bond. He has also been terminated from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, where he had served for eight years.

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods expressed heartbreak over the incident, emphasising that the tragic actions of one officer impact the entire law enforcement community. Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken also extended condolences to the victim’s family and vowed to work with the State Attorney's Office to ensure justice is served.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 21, 2024 09:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).