Florida Man Charged With Manslaughter After Accidentally Shooting Friend While on ‘Watch’
A Florida man is behind bars after accidentally shooting his companion when they were “standing watch” outside a home because they felt threatened by someone else, according to deputies.
A shooting was reported Tuesday at a home in Pensacola’s 10000 block of North Loop Road. When they arrived, they found a 44-year-old guy with a gunshot wound.
Paramedics proclaimed him dead, and an investigation began. Detectives determined that the victim and his friend, 41-year-old David Leallen Kueker, believed someone was attempting to harm them, so the two stood guard outside Kueker’s sister’s house.
Kueker eventually got into a car and fell asleep in the backseat. According to deputies, the companion realized Kueker had fallen asleep and approached the automobile using a walker. Police say he was unarmed.
Kueker awoke to see a man standing outside the car’s window. At this point, he fired a single shot through the automobile window, killing his 44-year-old acquaintance,” deputies stated.
Police arrested Kueker for manslaughter. The reason the two men felt threatened, as well as the victim’s name, were not revealed. A probable cause arrest document was not available on Thursday.
“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has determined that this action was grossly negligent, and he is being charged accordingly,” Sheriff Chip Simmons said in a statement.
Deputies transported Kueker to the Escambia County Jail, where he is being held on a $100,000 bond. He has a court date planned for October 25. It’s unknown whether Kueker has a counsel. If convicted, Kueker could face up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.