Contents
Ex-Deputy Arrested After Accidental Shooting of Girlfriend in Ocala
Tragic Incident” Raises Tough Questions About Off-Duty Firearm Safety
In an incident that has sent shockwaves through Ocala, Florida, a former sheriff’s deputy was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after the tragic accidental shooting death of his girlfriend.
The suspect, Leslie Boileau, called 911 last Thursday, telling authorities he had “accidentally shot his girlfriend” in their home.
According to Ocala police, the girlfriend was discovered with a handgun on her lap, and a rifle was also present at the scene, hinting at the disastrous series of events that led to this tragedy.
The couple had been “handling and dry-firing” their firearms — a practice of firing without live ammunition — when the fatal shot occurred.
Boileau, a former Marion County deputy with eight years on the force, told investigators that the shooting happened while he was demonstrating how to use a rifle. “While demonstrating the use of a rifle, Boileau accidentally discharged a loaded round, causing the fatal incident,” Ocala Police reported.
His girlfriend was shot in the head, and despite immediate response efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
An Untracked Tragedy: Off-Duty Gun Incidents Fly Under the Radar
This incident has raised difficult questions about firearm safety, particularly when it comes to off-duty law enforcement officers. Unlike on-the-job accidents, where detailed statistics are tracked, there is no clear record of how often an officer accidentally shoots someone — or is shot — while off the clock. These incidents, though rare, do crop up in the news from time to time, but reliable numbers remain elusive.
NBC News reports that Ocala police executed a search warrant and found physical evidence that corroborated Boileau’s story. He told officers that his girlfriend had asked him to teach her how to use a gun, a task that ended in unthinkable loss.
Law Enforcement Reeling: “One Tragic Action Felt by All”
Boileau was taken into custody on manslaughter charges following the incident, a decision that highlights the serious consequences of mishandling firearms, even in a non-criminal context. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods expressed sorrow over the event, noting, “Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers do their job commendably every day. But unfortunately, the tragic actions of just one are felt through the entire law enforcement community.”
Boileau’s dismissal from the sheriff’s office was swift, and authorities emphasized that the weapon involved in the fatal shooting was not his service firearm. However, the community remains haunted by the heartbreaking loss and the sobering reminder of the dangers posed by even the briefest lapse in firearm safety.
As investigations continue, the Ocala Police Department has urged the public to consider the weight of responsibility that comes with handling firearms. While the death was accidental, the consequences are tragically permanent. For now, Ocala mourns, and the law enforcement community reflects on the fragile line between duty and disaster.
First reported by NBC News.
