Current Events > 23-year-old Florida deputy killed by roommate in accidental shooting

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PALM BAY, Fla.

According to the Brevard County Sheriff, 23-year-old deputy Austin Walsh was killed Saturday by his own roommate, who is also a fellow deputy, in an accidental shooting.

"This afternoon I have to stand here and talk about the loss of one of my deputies who I love so much as the result of the reckless actions of another one of our deputies, who I also love, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.

In a video on Facebook, Ivey said Walsh and his roommate, Deputy Andrew Lawson were at a home in Palm Bay early Saturday morning when the shooting occurred.

"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 said.

Ivey said a single round was fired and struck Walsh, killing him.

Lawson immediately called 911 to summon help and then called Palm Bay police.

The sheriff said FDLE was called in to investigate and Lawson has since been charged with manslaughter.

He turned himself into the jail Sunday.

"Austin and Andrew were the best of friends and Andrew is completely devastated over what happened. Even with that, there is no excuse for this tragic and totally avoidable death, Ivey said.

The sheriff said Walsh had worked as a member of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office since the age of 18 and prior to that was part of its Explorers program.

Ivey said his agency is in mourning. He also hopes a lesson is learned from this tragedy.

"Folks, this unnecessary and totally avoidable incident not only took the life of an amazing young man and deputy but it also forever changed the life of another good young man, who made an extremely poor and reckless decision, Ivey said.

The crime of manslaughter is a second-degree felony in Florida and punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

https://www.wesh.com/article/brevard-county-deputy-killed/42144453

What an absolute fucking idiot.

Sad story but they are obviously avoided "Deputy accidently shoots and kills another deputy" on purpose, just like the headline story the week about the "law enforcement worker" who killed a family and kidnapped the teen daughter

Heineken14 posted...

What an absolute fucking idiot.

not much more else to say. hope people spare themselves the internal joy of roasting all cops over this one, it has no bearing on this story. could've been any two random dudes with guns.

Never understood playing with firearms when youre drinking

Evol posted...

"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 said.

I believe that the roommate intended to kill him and is totally using this as an excuse.

Hold on... what happens when a cop shoots a cop?

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Evol posted...

"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 said.

Ivey said a single round was fired and struck Walsh, killing him.

He should never have another job in law enforcement again. You're supposed to "accidentally" kill perps, not your own.

TaylorHeinicke posted...

not much more else to say. hope people spare themselves the internal joy of roasting all cops over this one, it has no bearing on this story. could've been any two random dudes with guns.

Cops receive more firearm training than just about anyone else. They operate at a higher standard for firearm safety since they're also allowed to carry in places that others are not. Them both being cops absolutely does have a bearing on this story. They're not just 2 random dudes.

how in the fuck was this dipshit ever let onto a police force, much less allowed to own a firearm? someone is dead because a drunk fucking idiot thought it was funny to mess around with a loaded gun. this is why the 2nd Amendment should be abolished. people shouldn't have the automatic, innate right to own a gun, unless they can prove they aren't a fucking dipshit.

guy should be banned from using guns for the rest of his life

A_Good_Boy posted...

Cops receive more firearm training than just about anyone else. They operate at a higher standard for firearm safety since they're also allowed to carry in places that others are not. Them both being cops absolutely does have a bearing on this story. They're not just 2 random dudes.

abso-fucking-lutely.

There should absolutely 100% be criminal charges for this. No excuse for that level of negligence.

Aiming a gun at someone and pulling the trigger isn't an accident.

Cop on Cop crime is running rampant in this country!!

rest in peace

What an absolute fucking moron. "Treat guns as if they are always loaded" is rule #1. Definitely should be charged and not be allowed to be in law enforcement.

I don't get why people ever joke with real weapons that can wholesale do what they're supposed to do.

If you want to joke around get a nerf gun or water gun.

Why fuck around with a real gun?