A Florida deputy was fatally shot by his roommate who pointed a gun at him as a joke and pulled the trigger thinking the weapon was unloaded.
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The incident took place at their Palm Beach home on Saturday morning where Austin Walsh,23, and his roommate, Andrew Lawson, were joking around while playing video games. Lawson was also considered Walsh’s best friend and the pair were talking when he pointed the gun at Walsh and pulled the trigger. After realizing the gun was loaded, Lawson called 911 but Walsh succumbed to his injuries.
Brevard Country Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in a statement that Lawson was devastated by the accidental shooting but noted there was no excuse for his actions. “Even with that, there is no excuse for this tragic and totally avoidable death,” he said. Lawson was arrested and charged with manslaughter with a firearm.
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Walsh worked as a deputy with Brevard County for five years after working as a public safety officer at 18. According to the Daily Mail, he had plans to become a deputy sheriff. Ivey stated arresting Lawson was a difficult decision since he had a close relationship with the young men.
‘This unnecessary and unavoidable incident not only took the life of an amazing young man and deputy, but it has also changed the life of another good young man who made an extremely poor and reckless decision. I personally know both of these kids and they were the best. Austin was passionate about his job and loved the community he so proudly served. And Andrew, he’s a great kid who sadly made a horrible and irresponsible decision that has forever impacted the lives of so many.’
Ivey added that the entire shooting has left him and the community heartbroken but hopes the incident teaches people not to joke around with weapons as it could end tragically.
‘This tragedy has broken our hearts, and knowing Austin and Andrew as I do, I think they would – at the very least – want there to be a lesson somewhere in this message. Somewhere that helps save someone’s life. A message that helps someone else not make the same mistake’
Walsh was known as a kind person and others said he had a heart of gold while serving the community. ‘A kid with a heart of gold, and a young man with so much promise,’ one person wrote on Facebook.