A former sheriff’s deputy in Florida, 33-year-old Leslie Dale Boileau Jr., has been found guilty of manslaughter with a firearm by a Marion County jury. The conviction stems from an incident last year where Boileau accidentally shot his 25-year-old girlfriend, Polina Wright, in the head while instructing her on firearm cleaning and handling.
Boileau, who previously served as a patrol deputy with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, reported the incident to the Ocala Police Department on September 19, 2024. He described the shooting as an “accidental discharge” and admitted to shooting his girlfriend. Upon arrival at the scene, first responders found Wright deceased with a gunshot wound to her forehead. She was seated in a chair with multiple firearms and cleaning supplies scattered around the room.
Boileau told the responding officer that he was cleaning the guns and they were pointing them at each other. He recounted Wright’s request to learn how to use the firearms, and how the gun accidentally discharged while they were pointing them at each other. The rifle that Boileau claimed to have accidentally fired was among the weapons found at the scene.
Boileau made several incriminating statements at the scene, acknowledging that the situation looked bad and expressing regret for training her in the house. In a subsequent formal interview after being read his Miranda rights, Boileau shared that he and Wright had spent the day together, had dinner at a Mexican restaurant, and returned home to find firearm cleaning supplies he had ordered online had been delivered. This led to Wright’s inquiry about firearms and Boileau’s decision to teach her.
During the firearm cleaning and training, Boileau admitted that they were pointing guns at each other, which he knew was wrong given his law enforcement background. He confessed to pointing the rifle at Wright and pulling the trigger, which resulted in a bullet striking Wright in the forehead. After realizing what had happened, Boileau held Wright until emergency services arrived.
Boileau explained that he had allowed Wright to handle an empty rifle, which he later reloaded with the intention of putting it away. However, he noticed Wright handling a loaded handgun and put the rifle down to clear the handgun of live ammunition. He then turned his attention back to the rifle, forgetting that he had reloaded it, and fired a live round in Wright’s direction, resulting in her death.
Boileau described his actions as “sloppy” during the interview. A pre-sentence investigation report is currently underway, and a sentencing hearing will be scheduled upon its completion. Boileau faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.