Former Florida deputy who says he accidentally shot girlfriend while ‘dry-firing’ gun arrested for manslaughter

A former Florida sheriff’s deputy was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with the accidental shooting death of his girlfriend, authorities said.

Leslie Boileau called 911 on Thursday night to report that he had “accidentally shot his girlfriend” at their home in Ocala. The girlfriend was found with a handgun on her lap “and a rifle was also present at the scene,” the Ocala Police Department said in a statement on Facebook.

Boileau told police that he and his girlfriend had been “handling and dry-firing the firearms” when the shooting happened, authorities said. Dry-firing is firing a gun without live ammunition.

He was taken into custody for questioning and told detectives that he and his girlfriend had returned home from dinner and had a package containing gun cleaning supplies, so they began cleaning their firearms.

“While demonstrating the use of a rifle, Boileau accidentally discharged a loaded round, causing the fatal incident,” police said.

The girlfriend was shot in the head.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by NBC affiliate WESH of Orlando, Boileau told police that his girlfriend had asked him to teach her how to use the gun.

Ocala police said that a search warrant was executed and that physical evidence was found that corroborates his account.

“In light of these findings, Leslie Boileau has been arrested for manslaughter for his role in the fatal shooting,” police said.

Police Chief Mike Balken called the shooting a “tragic incident” and offered his condolences to the victim’s family.

Boileau, a deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for eight years, was immediately fired, the office told WESH. The gun used in the fatal incident was not his work firearm, the office said.

“We are heartbroken for the family and friends of the victim,” Sheriff Billy Woods said. “Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers do their job commendably every day. But unfortunately, the tragic actions of just one are felt through the entire law enforcement community. The Ocala Police Department has the support of my office as they continue to finish their investigation of this tragic incident.”

Minyvonne Burke

Minyvonne Burke is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News.