Florida deputy who accidentally shot and killed girlfriend while cleaning gun charged with murder

“I know this looks really bad,” Officer Leslie Boileau reportedly said when they arrived at his home.

A Florida sheriff’s deputy has been charged with murder after he accidentally shot and killed his girlfriend while cleaning his gun.

According to a news release from Ocala Police, Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy Leslie Boileau called 911 on Thursday evening, September 19, to report that he had accidentally shot his girlfriend.

“Upon arrival, officers found the victim with a fatal gunshot wound to the forehead. A 9mm handgun was observed on the victim’s lap and a rifle was also located at the scene,” the press release reads.

According to the affidavit, Boileau told officers during questioning that the shooting was “accidental,” expressing that it happened while he and his girlfriend were “serving and dry-firing a firearm.”

“Dry firing” is the act of firing a firearm without ammunition in the chamber.

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Boileau said they returned home after dinner when they opened a package of gun cleaning supplies and began cleaning them.

According to an arrest report obtained by FOX 13, Boileau stated that during that process, he “grabbed the rifle and dry fired one shot,” and during a second attempt, “he forgot he had a loaded magazine in the rifle and fired one live round at (his girlfriend), ultimately killing her.”

The deputy allegedly said he and his girlfriend had similar training and told officers at the scene, “I know this looks really bad. I told her I didn’t want this to happen,” FOX 13 reports.

The Ocala Police Department said a search warrant was executed at Boileau’s home, corroborating his story with evidence found at the scene.

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“In light of these findings, Leslie Boileau was arrested on a charge of murder in connection with the fatal shooting,” the department said in a news release.

In a press release shared with PEOPLE, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said Boileau is being held without bail in the Marion County Jail and has been “immediately dismissed” from the department, where he served as a deputy sheriff for eight years.

Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a statement accompanying the release: “We are heartbroken for the victim’s family and friends. Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers do their jobs commendably every day. But unfortunately, the tragic actions of one are felt throughout the law enforcement community. The Ocala Police Department has the support of my office as they continue to investigate this tragic incident.”

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Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken also issued a statement expressing his condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones, saying that “the Ocala Police Department is working with the State’s Attorney’s Office to ensure justice is served.”

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