A 65-year-old golfer died at a course in Florida after being attacked with his own clubs in what appears to be a “random act of violence,” police say.
Junior Boucher, 36, is now facing a first-degree murder charge after the death of Brian Hiltebeitel at the Sandhill Crane Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens Monday afternoon.
“At this time, it does not appear that Boucher had any legitimate purpose for being at the golf course. This appears to be a random act of violence where Boucher used the victim’s golf clubs as weapons and viciously attacked the victim, ultimately killing him,” Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Dominick Pape said at a news conference Tuesday.
According to a police report, witnesses heard Hiltebeitel scream, “He’s trying to kill me,” and then saw Boucher beating him with a golf club on the first fairway.
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Junior Boucher was arrested for first-degree murder in the alleged killing of Brian Hiltebeitel. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office)
Hiltebeitel tried to run away, but Boucher retrieved another club from Hiltebeitel’s bag and chased him into a pond, where he jumped on top of him, choked him and again beat him, police said.
After the attack, Boucher stripped off his clothes and fled into the woods. Officers used a stun gun to subdue him.
Boucher, who is being held without bond, has previous arrests for domestic battery, battery on a police officer and drug possession.
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Hiltebeitel was chased into one of the ponds at Sandhill Crane Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, The Associated Press reported, citing police. (Google Maps)
Pape told reporters Tuesday that efforts to save Hiltebeitel’s life were unsuccessful, adding he was pronounced dead at the golf course.
Boucher had been reported missing by his family an hour before the attack, according to The Associated Press.
Court records show that, earlier Monday, members of Boucher’s family had filed an eviction notice to remove him from their house.
Junior Boucher, right, during a court appearance. (WPEC)
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Dina Lauro, identified by WPTV as Hiltebeitel’s girlfriend, described him as “such a good, good person. He was exciting to be with, always in a good mood, never depressed, wake up happy.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.