Darryl Wilson, aged 56, tragically lost his life on June 1, 2018, in Bunnell, Florida. The incident occurred while Wilson and his girlfriend, Tammy Almond, were house-sitting. Almond, who was 45 at the time, admitted to shooting Wilson with a shotgun. She claimed that she did not realize the firearm was loaded when she picked it up and pulled the trigger. This fatal shooting led to Almond being charged with manslaughter with a firearm.
During the investigation, Almond maintained that the shooting was accidental. She expressed deep remorse, stating that she never intended to harm Wilson and that she loved him dearly. The case proceeded to court, where Almond faced the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence. The sentencing guidelines for manslaughter with a firearm called for a minimum of 10 years and up to 30 years in prison. However, due to the unique aspects of the case and the efforts of both the defense and prosecution, a plea agreement was reached.
In November 2020, Almond was sentenced to five years in prison, with credit for the 30 months she had already spent in the Flagler County jail awaiting trial. This meant she would serve less than 2.5 years in prison, followed by five years of probation. The court also ordered her to undergo a mental health evaluation while on probation. Almond was allowed to transfer her probation to West Virginia, where she had family support.
The case highlighted the complexities of accidental shootings and the emotional toll on both the victim's family and the accused. Wilson's family expressed their desire for a longer sentence, reflecting the pain and loss they experienced. Despite the tragic circumstances, the court's decision aimed to balance justice with the recognition of the incident's accidental nature.
