A Florida sheriff’s officer has been charged with manslaughter for accidentally shooting his roommate, a fellow officer, in his apartment on Saturday, the department announced.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey announced the charges against 23-year-old Deputy Andrew Lawson. In a video posted to Facebook, Ivey called the shooting “an extremely silly and totally preventable accident.”
Brevard County Deputy Sheriff Austin Walsh.
(Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Florida)
Deputy Austin Walsh, 23, died at the scene of his Palm Bay apartment early Saturday morning.
The roommates had taken a break from playing an online game and were standing talking when Lawson pulled out a gun he believed he had discharged and “jokingly” pointed it at Walsh, the sheriff said. One round fired and hit Walsh.
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Lawson immediately called 911 and was “distraught” and “devastated” when first responders arrived, Ivey said. Lawson fully cooperated with the investigation.
Ivey said that Lawson and Walsh were best friends and roommates.
“My friends, this unnecessary and totally preventable incident not only took the life of an incredible young man and congressman, it also forever changed the life of another fine young man who made an extremely poor and reckless decision,” Ivey said.
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Sheriff Ivey said Walsh had been with the department since he was 18 years old, describing him as a “cherished member of our BCSO family.”
Lawson was taken to the Brevard County jail on a warrant for his arrest “without bond,” the sheriff said. It was not immediately known if he has an attorney who can speak on his behalf.
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The sheriff called Lawson “a great kid who sadly made a horrible and irresponsible decision that has impacted so many forever.”
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The Palm Bay Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are investigating the incident.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
