David Leallen Kueker (Escambia County Sheriff’s Office)
A Florida man is behind bars because he accidentally shot his friend while they were “standing watch” outside a home because they felt threatened by someone else, deputies say.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded Tuesday to a home in the 10000 block of North Loop Road in Pensacola for a shooting. When they arrived, they found a 44-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. Paramedics pronounced him dead and an investigation ensued. Detectives determined that the victim and his buddy, 41-year-old David Leallen Kueker, thought someone may be trying to harm them so the pair stood watch outside Kueker’s sister’s house.
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At some point, Kueker got into the backseat of a car where he fell asleep. The friend saw Kueker had fallen asleep so, with the help of a walker, he approached the car, according to deputies. He was not armed, cops said.
“Kueker awakened and saw a figure standing outside the window of the car. At this time, he fired one shot through the car window, killing his 44-year-old acquaintance,” deputies wrote.
Cops arrested Kueker for manslaughter. Information such as why the two men felt threatened and the victim’s name were not released. A probable cause arrest affidavit was not available as of Thursday.
“This action is deemed by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office to be grossly negligent, and he is being charged accordingly,” Sheriff Chip Simmons said in a statement.
Deputies took Kueker to the Escambia County Jail where he is being held on a $100,000 bond. He has a court date scheduled for Oct. 25. It’s unclear if Kueker has a lawyer. If convicted, Kueker faces up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
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