Holly MatkinPalm Bay, FL – Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Deputy Austin Walsh died on Dec. 3 after being shot by his roommate while they were off-duty, according to investigators.
The incident occurred at a residence on Damascus Avenue in the southwestern area of Palm Bay, WFTV reported.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said during a press conference on Sunday that Deputy Andrew Lawson and Deputy Walsh had been playing an online video game with friends early Saturday morning and paused for a break.
That’s when Deputy Lawson “jokingly pointed” a handgun at 23-year-old Deputy Walsh and pulled the trigger, Sheriff Ivey said.
The bullet struck Deputy Walsh.
The sheriff said Deputy Lawson mistakenly believed the gun was unloaded.
Deputy Lawson immediately called 911 and told them he accidently shot his roommate, according to Sheriff Ivey.
Palm Bay Police Department (PBPD) officers responded to the scene and were met by off-duty Deputy Lawson, who the sheriff described as being “fully distraught and devastated.”
Police located Deputy Walsh inside the home.
“He had apparently succumbed immediately as a result of a single gunshot wound,” Sheriff Ivey said.
The sheriff described the incident as a “tragic accident” and said Deputy Lawson was fully cooperative with investigators.
Sheriff Ivey said the incident marked one of the most difficult moments in his entire career.
“I have to stand here and talk about the loss of one of my deputies, who I love so much, as a result of the reckless actions of another one of our deputies, who I also love and who has been a good kid his entire life,” he said.
Sheriff Ivey said the fatal shooting was “extremely dumb and totally avoidable,” but noted he doesn’t believe Officer Lawson had any “malicious intent.”
He said the two deputies were “the best of friends” and that Deputy Lawson is “completely devastated over what happened.”
Deputy Lawson was taken into custody by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) on Sunday on a no-bond warrant for manslaughter with a firearm.
He was subsequently booked into the Brevard County Jail, Sheriff Ivey confirmed.
The FDLE is handling the ongoing investigation into the shooting.
Deputy Walsh had been a part of the department since he was 18 years old, Sheriff Ivey said.
He served as a public safety officer until he graduated from the law enforcement academy, then went on to serve as a deputy sheriff in the BCSO’s West and South Precincts.
He had also been a volunteer member of the agency’s Explorer’s program in the past.
Deputy Walsh was “a treasured member” of the sheriff’s office’s family, and he was passionate about his law enforcement career, Sheriff Ivey said.
“Austin was such a great kid, and our hearts are broken over his loss,” the sheriff continued. “He will be deeply missed by our agency [and] our community, and our prayers are with his family.”
The Brevard County Sheriff's Office says this morning, Deputy Austin Walsh was "accidentally killed in an off-duty incident that occurred within the city limits of Palm Bay." @PalmBayPD and @fdlepio are investigating.
Sheriff Ivey says Walsh, 23, served BCSO since he was 18. pic.twitter.com/jHwUsXSZ6h
— Will Robinson-Smith (@w_robinsonsmith) December 3, 2022
So tragic. @SheriffIvey
says this man, 23 yr old Brevard Co. Sheriff's Deputy, Austin Walsh, was accidentally shot and killed by his roommate, Deputy Andrew Lawson. Lawson pointed what he thought was an unloaded gun at Walsh and fired. Lawson is now charged with manslaughter. pic.twitter.com/0lFYBcCIwy— Amanda Dukes (@AmandaDukesWESH) December 5, 2022
His name was Austin Walsh, a Deputy for the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. He was shot and killed while off-duty. The incident is under investigation and details are limited. Rest Easy Brother. Prayers for his family of blue and blood.#podcast #radio #talkradio #talkshow pic.twitter.com/DCvM1GPBVA
— John J Wiley (@JohnWil21815218) December 4, 2022
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Austin Walsh, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
