Brevard County deputy sheriff charged with manslaughter after shooting fellow deputy
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. December 5th, 2022– The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has released more details into the death of 23-year-old Deputy Austin Walsh who was accidentally shot and killed in an “off-duty incident.”
The Sheriff’s office said Deputy Walsh was shot and killed by his roommate, Andrew Lawson, who is also a Brevard County deputy.
The shooting happened in Palm Bay early Saturday when the Palm Bay Police Department received a 911 call from Lawson who reportedly fatally shot Walsh.
When officers arrived, they were met by Lawson who was reportedly “distraught.” Officers said Walsh succumbed immediately to his injuries after being shot once.
According to Lawson, the two had taken a break from playing an online video game and were standing around talking. Walsh’s roommate said he was holding a handgun which he believed he had unloaded.
Lawson told officers that at one point during the conversation, he jokingly pointed the gun in Walsh’s direction and pulled the trigger, the sheriff’s office said.
“Austin and Andrew were the best of friends and Andrew is completely devastated over what happened, said Sheriff Ivey. “Even with that, there’s no excuse for this tragic, avoidable death.”
Deputy Lawson was taken into custody for manslaughter and transported to the Brevard County Jail.
