Authorities report that a Florida man has been charged with first-degree murder in what police describe as a seemingly random act of violence, where he allegedly killed a golfer using the victim’s golf clubs at a public golf course in Palm Beach Gardens.

36-year-old Junior Boucher has been identified as the suspect in the fatal assault of 65-year-old Brian Hiltebeitel, who was attacked at Sandhill Crane Golf Club around early Monday afternoon. This golf club is located approximately 16 miles northwest of West Palm Beach.

The city-operated course is situated about 70 miles north of Miami.

Documents from Palm Beach County Circuit Court that were acquired by YSL News revealed that Boucher allegedly struck Hiltebeitel multiple times with golf clubs and then held his head underwater until he died.

“So far, detectives have not identified a motive, and it seems like this was a random act of violence,” stated Palm Beach Gardens Police Department Major Javier Garcia in an interview with YSL News on Wednesday afternoon.

After being apprehended on the golf course, Boucher declined to speak to detectives without a lawyer present.

According to records from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Boucher was booked into jail just before 11:30 PM on Monday.

Boucher, who lives in West Palm Beach, remains in jail without bond as of Wednesday, as per online records.

During a Tuesday court appearance at the jail, Judge Ted Booras appointed Boucher a public defender. The county’s Public Defender’s Office typically refrains from commenting on ongoing cases.

Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Dominick Pape informed reporters during a news conference on Tuesday that Boucher did not have a clear reason for being at the golf course and that it appears the two men were not acquaintances.

“We’re still following up on leads,” Chief Pape noted, according to the Palm Beach Post, which is part of the YSL News Network. “We’re continuing to interview individuals.”

Who Was Brian Hiltebeitel?

At the time of his death, Hiltebeitel resided in West Palm Beach. His girlfriend, Dina Lauro, shared with NBC Miami that they had met in Philadelphia and later relocated to South Florida, expressing disbelief over the tragic incident.

“He was my right arm,” Lauro recounted. “He was a wonderful person who brought joy, always upbeat, never downcast.”

YSL News has reached out for further comments from Lauro.

Discovery of the Victim’s Body

According to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by YSL News, police responded to multiple 911 calls that came in just before 1:30 PM, reporting an assault involving a golf club.

Upon arriving at the first hole of the golf course, officers discovered the victim’s body in a nearby pond.

Not long after, they made contact with Boucher, who was trying to escape, partly undressed.

When the police arrived, they attempted to provide medical assistance to Hiltebeitel, who was pulled from the water.

According to the affidavit, Hiltebeitel exhibited “multiple severe lacerations to the back of his head and elsewhere.” Firefighters later announced him dead on the scene.

Witness Accounts of the Attack

As per witness statements, Boucher was seen hitting Hiltebeitel with a golf club near the first hole before pursuing him with another club towards the pond, where the assault continued.

One witness reportedly heard Hiltebeitel exclaim, “He’s trying to kill me!” during the attack.

Witnesses observed Boucher atop Hiltebeitel, apparently choking him. Shortly thereafter, Boucher exited the water, discarded his clothes, and headed toward a nearby wooded area, according to the arrest report.

Officers

They stated that an “electronic control device” was used to apprehend Boucher, who was then taken to a hospital for a medical assessment before being moved to jail.

What occurred before the golf course homicide?

Pape mentioned that Boucher’s family had notified the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office about his disappearance roughly an hour prior to the incident.

According to court documents, the assault took place on the same day that two family members filed an eviction notice against Boucher.

These same relatives had also filed an eviction notice against him in 2018, as shown by court records.

Online court documents indicate that Boucher is scheduled for a court hearing regarding the murder charge on December 26.

This article has been updated with additional details.