A former deputy sheriff from Marion County, Florida, is facing manslaughter charges following the fatal shooting of his girlfriend. Leslie Boileau, who had been drinking, was reportedly demonstrating how to clean an AR-style rifle to his girlfriend, 25-year-old Polina Wright, when the weapon discharged a round into her forehead, as per the Ocala Police Department.
Boileau, an eight-year veteran of the sheriff’s department, was immediately dismissed from his position following the incident. The former deputy told investigators that Wright had asked him to show her how to clean a firearm. He then proceeded to demonstrate how to disassemble and clean both the rifle and a 9mm handgun.
The couple had just returned from a dinner where they each consumed three margaritas. Upon arriving home, Boileau noticed the gun cleaning supplies he had recently purchased, which prompted Wright’s inquiry about his gun cleaning routine.
According to the arrest report, Boileau dry-fired the rifle once. However, on the second attempt, he had forgotten that he had inserted a loaded magazine into the rifle. The weapon discharged a live round, which struck Wright, resulting in her death.
Boileau immediately called 911 to report the incident, stating that he had “accidentally shot his girlfriend” at their residence. Upon arrival, Ocala police discovered Wright deceased with a gunshot wound to her head. The handgun was found on her lap and the rifle nearby.
Following a search of the home, police found physical evidence that supported Boileau’s account of the incident. He was subsequently arrested and charged with manslaughter. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the firearm used in the incident was not Boileau’s service weapon.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods expressed his support for the Ocala Police Department in a statement. He acknowledged the commendable work of thousands of law enforcement officers, but lamented that the tragic actions of one individual can have a profound impact on the entire law enforcement community. Boileau is currently being held without bond at the Marion County Jail.