WEST PALM BEACH, FL — A suspect has been arrested following a horrific incident on a Florida golf course, where a man was killed in an apparent random attack on Monday, police said.
Junior Boucher, 36, is facing first-degree murder charges in the death of 65-year-old Brian Hiltebeitel at the Sandhill Crane Golf Club. Authorities describe the deadly encounter as a senseless act of violence.
Eyewitnesses recounted chilling scenes as Hiltebeitel was heard screaming for his life, reportedly yelling, “he’s trying to kill me,” while being pursued by Boucher, who wielded a golf club, according to an affidavit from the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department.
Investigators reported that Boucher assaulted Hiltebeitel with the golf club, striking him on the head. The altercation escalated as Boucher chased the victim toward a nearby pond located on the course’s first hole.
In a brutal sequence of events, Boucher is alleged to have attacked Hiltebeitel again in the water, where he climbed onto him, appearing to strangle him, as noted in the police report. After Hiltebeitel ceased moving, Boucher allegedly continued the assault, reportedly hitting him multiple times in the head.
Police stated that following the attack, Boucher stripped off his clothes and exited the water. Responding officers retrieved Hiltebeitel from the pond, discovering severe head injuries. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Palm Beach Gardens Police apprehended Boucher after a brief pursuit; reports indicate he was found unclothed and was only detained after officers deployed an electronic control device.
Authorities are still investigating a potential motive, as Police Chief Dominick Pape mentioned there appears to be no known relationship between Boucher and Hiltebeitel. “It seems Boucher had no legitimate reason to be on the golf course,” Pape stated, emphasizing the randomness of the act.
The police also disclosed that Boucher was reported missing by his family approximately an hour before this incident unfolded. Boucher has a detailed criminal record that includes charges related to drugs and domestic violence.