Autumn Feehley, a 31-year-old woman from Ocala, FL, tragically died on May 16, 2018. The incident occurred during a struggle over a shotgun between her husband, Christopher O'Brien, and his cousin, William Joseph Lewis. According to reports, Lewis had come to their house seeking a place to stay for the night. The situation escalated when O'Brien, fearing for his safety, answered the door with a shotgun.
A tussle ensued between O'Brien and Lewis, resulting in the shotgun discharging and striking Autumn Feehley in the chest. Despite efforts to save her, she succumbed to her injuries at Ocala Regional Medical Center.
William Joseph Lewis, 30, was arrested and charged with manslaughter following the incident. He claimed that the shooting was accidental and not done with any malicious intent. Lewis stated that he did not bring a gun to the encounter and that he was scared when O'Brien pointed the shotgun at him. The arrest report detailed that Lewis and O'Brien were wrestling over the shotgun when it went off, leading to Feehley's fatal injury.
The case highlighted the tragic consequences of domestic disputes and the dangers of firearms in such volatile situations. The investigation revealed that O'Brien had been helping Lewis' ex-girlfriend, which had caused tension between the two men. On the night of the incident, O'Brien had repeatedly told Lewis to leave before opening the door with the shotgun in hand. The struggle that followed resulted in the accidental discharge of the weapon.
Autumn Feehley's death left a profound impact on her family and the community. She was survived by her husband, Christopher O'Brien, and their four young children. The incident underscored the importance of addressing domestic conflicts and the need for responsible gun ownership to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
