A 23-year-old Brevard County Sheriff’s Office deputy was killed by his partner and roommate after an accidental shooting this weekend in their apartment.
Austin Walsh, who worked with the sheriff’s office since he was 18, was killed this weekend in his Palm Bay apartment after his roommate and partner, Andrew Lawson, accidentally shot him.
During a press conference on Sunday, December 4, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey provided details regarding the incident, which occurred in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 3.
According to the sheriff, Lawson and Walsh had just finished playing an online game with friends and were “standing around.” Lawson was holding a handgun that he believed was unloaded and, at one point in their conversation, jokingly pointed the gun in Walsh’s direction and pulled the trigger.
A single round was fired and it fatally struck Walsh.
Lawson contacted Palm Bay Police Department.
Sheriff Ivey described the incident as “extremely dumb” and “totally avoidable,” but emphasized that there was no malicious intent, citing the friendship between the two officers.
“There is no excuse for this tragic, totally avoidable death, and as a result, earlier today, Andrew Lawson was taken into custody,” said Ivey.
Lawson is being charged with manslaughter. He is currently incarcerated at the Brevard County Jail.
“I personally know both of these kids and they were the best of friends,” said Sheriff Ivey. “This tragedy has broken our hearts.”
Ivey emphasized that both officers would want others to avoid a similar tragedy in the future.
“If there is nothing else, I pray there is a lesson learned from this tragedy.”