Prosecutors in Florida have upgraded charges against former Brevard County sheriff's deputy Andrew Lawson to second-degree murder in the 2022 fatal shooting of his roommate, Austin Walsh. Lawson, 26, had previously sought to plead guilty to manslaughter, but a judge rejected the deal. The new charge, filed on April 17, could lead to a life sentence if convicted.
Andrew Lawson and Austin Walsh, both deputies with the Brevard County Sheriff's Office at the time, were off-duty on December 3, 2022, playing Call of Duty at their apartment in Palm Bay, Florida. Between gaming sessions, Lawson picked up a gun he believed was unloaded and pointed it at Walsh, whom he called his best friend. He pulled the trigger twice; the second time, the gun fired, striking Walsh in the head and killing him instantly, according to an affidavit reviewed by authorities. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey described Lawson as fully distraught and devastated when police arrived at the scene. Lawson was initially charged with manslaughter. On January 30, he attempted to plead guilty, facing a proposed seven-year prison sentence, but 18th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Michelle Naberhaus halted the hearing after four hours of victim impact statements. Lawson then withdrew his plea, with his defense attorneys advocating for mental health rehabilitation over imprisonment. On April 17, the state's attorney's office elevated the charge to second-degree murder, which carries the potential for life imprisonment. Lawson's next court appearance is set for April 30.