Florida Deputy ‘Jokingly’ Shot Dead By His Best Friend

Austin Walsh, a 23-year-old Florida deputy was Saturday morning ‘jokingly’ shot dead by his ‘best friend’ in his Palm Bay residence in Florida.

According to Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey in a video statement shared on the County’s Facebook page, his best friend, Andrew Lawson who also happens to be his roommate jokingly pointed the gun at Walsh after playing a round of video games.

“The two were talking and Lawson was also holding a handgun which he believes was unloaded and he jokingly pointed the gun in Austin’s direction and pulled the trigger,” he said.

Lawson was arrested at the Brevard County jail and charged with manslaughter with a firearm.

The late Walsh has been a deputy with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office since he was 18 years old noting that his ultimate goal was to become a deputy sheriff.