Brevard County Deputy Andrew Lawson shot and killed Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Austin Walsh over the weekend after he “jokingly” pointed his gun at him while the two were off-duty.
According to reports, Lawson pointed and shot Walsh with what he thought was an unloaded gun.
The pair had been playing online games and were taking a break and talking when Lawson allegedly pointed his firearm at Walsh and shot him, in what Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey called an “extremely dumb and totally avoidable accident.”
Lawson called 911 requesting help, but Walsh is believed to have died immediately from his injuries, Ivey said. Walsh was 23.
“Austin and Andrew were the best of friends and Andrew is completely devastated over what happened,” Ivey said. “Even with that, there is no excuse for this tragic and totally avoidable death.”
Lawson was arrested Sunday on a no-bond warrant issued by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for manslaughter with a firearm.
