On September 19, 2024, Polina Wright, a 25-year-old woman from Ocala, Florida, tragically lost her life in an incident involving her boyfriend, Leslie Boileau, a Marion County Sheriff’s deputy. The incident occurred at Boileau's residence after the couple returned home from dinner, during which they had each consumed three margaritas.
According to Boileau's statement to the police, the fatal event happened while he and Wright were handling and dry firing his firearms.
Boileau began cleaning his pistol rifle and 9mm handgun after noticing that his package of firearm cleaning supplies had been delivered. Wright asked him to teach her how to use the guns, and Boileau proceeded to provide training scenarios, including pointing the firearms at each other, a practice he acknowledged was wrong given his profession as a law enforcement officer.
During the training, Boileau gave Wright the rifle to dry fire with the red dot scope activated. After Wright fired a blank round, Boileau took the rifle, inserted a loaded magazine, and then allowed Wright to dry fire his fully loaded 9mm Glock. In the process of clearing the 9mm Glock of live ammunition, Boileau grabbed his rifle again and attempted to dry fire it. However, he had forgotten that he had placed a loaded magazine into the rifle, resulting in the accidental discharge of a live round that hit Wright in the head between her eyes.
Boileau immediately called the Ocala Police Department and reported the incident. When police arrived, they found Boileau holding Wright's head. Boileau expressed remorse, stating, "I know this looks really bad. I told her I did not want this to happen."
Following the investigation, Leslie Boileau was charged with manslaughter and was immediately terminated from his position at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The Ocala Police Department is working with the State Attorney’s office to ensure justice is served in this case.
Polina Wright's death has been met with deep sorrow from her family and the community. Her family announced her tragic death, remembering her as a young woman whose life was cut short in a tragic incident.
