A Florida man has been charged with first-degree murder following a brutal attack on a golf course. Junior Boucher, 36, is alleged to have killed Brian Hiltebeitel, 65, at the Sandhill Crane Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens on Monday. Boucher is said to have used Hiltebeitel’s own golf clubs in the assault before drowning him in a nearby pond.
According to eyewitness accounts, Boucher attacked Hiltebeitel on the first hole of the golf course. One witness reported seeing Boucher jump on Hiltebeitel in the water, seemingly choking him. Afterward, Boucher retrieved a golf club and repeatedly struck Hiltebeitel in the head, who by then was motionless.
Witnesses also reported hearing Hiltebeitel cry out that Boucher was attempting to kill him. The chase ended at the pond where Boucher allegedly drowned Hiltebeitel. When police arrived at the scene, they found Boucher naked and attempting to flee.
Upon apprehension, police used an electronic control weapon to subdue Boucher. Hiltebeitel was found with severe lacerations to the back of his head and was declared dead at the scene. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, with authorities suggesting it was a random act of violence.
Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Dominick Pape stated that Boucher seemed to have no legitimate reason for being at the golf course. He added that Boucher used Hiltebeitel’s golf clubs as weapons in what appears to be a random and vicious attack.
Boucher is currently being held without bond in the Palm Beach County Jail. He faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of Hiltebeitel. During his court appearance on Tuesday, Boucher was denied bond and ordered to have no contact with witnesses or to possess weapons.