Below is the arrest affidavit that describes the how the shooting of Deputy Austin Walsh by his roommate, Deputy Andrew Lawson played out. Sheriff Ivey described the event as a late-night accident when they were joking around after playing Call of Duty.
Lawson stated to a Palm Bay police officer on the scene that he came out into the hallway and pointed his Glock at Deputy Walsh and pulled the trigger. When nothing happened, he said he pulled back the slide on the weapon, which loads a round from the magazine into the chamber, and pulled the trigger again.
This time, the weapon fired, and a single round struck Walsh in the face, right below his eye. He was dead before police arrived.
The report states that Lawson called 911 immediately and stated he accidentally shot Walsh. He stayed outside and waited for police to arrive.
Today was Lawson’s first appearance at Brevard County Court, and he was granted a bond of only $15,000, and permitted to stay outside of the County with his mother.
Sheriff Ivey has not yet announced whether or not Lawson’s employment has been terminated.
A neighbor posted on twitter, prior to the details being made public that they heard Lawson and Walsh outside yelling at each other in the street right before the shooting.
I used to live in Merritt Island. What the hell happened to Florida? If this had been any other citizen (other than a law enforcement officer), his/her ass would be in jail. What the hell???