A man from Florida is facing first-degree murder charges after a violent incident at a golf course. The accused, 36-year-old Junior Boucher, is believed to have fatally assaulted 65-year-old Brian Hiltebeitel at the Sandhill Crane Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens on a recent Monday. It is alleged that Boucher used Hiltebeitel’s own golf clubs as weapons in the attack, before drowning him in a nearby pond.
Eyewitnesses have provided chilling accounts of the incident. Boucher reportedly assaulted Hiltebeitel at the first hole of the golf course. One bystander described seeing Boucher leap onto Hiltebeitel in the water, appearing to choke him. Following this, Boucher is said to have retrieved a golf club and repeatedly struck Hiltebeitel in the head, who by this point was motionless.
Further reports from witnesses suggest that Hiltebeitel cried out during the attack, claiming that Boucher was trying to kill him. The violent pursuit concluded at the pond, where Boucher is alleged to have drowned Hiltebeitel. Upon arrival, police found Boucher attempting to flee the scene, unclothed.
Police were able to apprehend Boucher using an electronic control weapon. Hiltebeitel was discovered with severe injuries to the back of his head and was pronounced dead at the scene. The reason behind the attack is still unknown, with law enforcement suggesting it may have been a random act of violence.
Dominick Pape, the Police Chief of Palm Beach Gardens, stated that Boucher seemed to have no valid reason for being at the golf course. He further noted that Boucher used Hiltebeitel’s golf clubs in what appears to be a random and brutal attack.
Boucher is currently detained without bond in the Palm Beach County Jail. He is facing a first-degree murder charge for the death of Hiltebeitel. During his court appearance on Tuesday, Boucher was denied bond and was ordered to avoid contact with witnesses and not to possess weapons.