West Palm Beach Man Accused of Fatal Golf Club Attack at Palm Beach Gardens Course
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – A 36-year-old West Palm Beach man faces a first-degree murder charge after allegedly attacking and killing a 65-year-old man with a golf club at the Sandhill Crane Golf Club on Monday afternoon.
Police say Junior Boucher assaulted Brian Hiltebeitel in a violent altercation that began on the first hole of the public golf course. The incident culminated with Boucher allegedly holding Hiltebeitel’s head underwater in a nearby pond.
According to authorities, the attack appears to have been a random act of violence. Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Dominick Pape described the assault as “vicious” and noted that Boucher had no apparent legitimate reason to be on the golf course.
Witness Accounts Detail a Brutal Scene
Police responded to multiple 911 calls at approximately 1:22 p.m., reporting an attack involving a golf club. Witnesses told officers they saw Hiltebeitel running from Boucher while shouting, “He’s trying to kill me.”
Boucher allegedly struck Hiltebeitel multiple times with a golf club before chasing him to the pond. Witnesses reported that Boucher continued the assault, hitting Hiltebeitel in the head repeatedly. Once in the water, Boucher is accused of choking Hiltebeitel and striking him further before leaving the scene, stripping off his clothes as he walked away.
Officers arriving at the scene found Hiltebeitel motionless in the water with severe head injuries and other wounds. Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue pronounced him dead at the scene.
Suspect Apprehended with Taser
Boucher fled the scene but was captured shortly afterward when police used a Taser to subdue him. He was transported to Gardens Medical Center for medical clearance before being booked into the Palm Beach County Jail.
At his first court appearance, Boucher claimed, “I truly believe that I was a victim of witchcraft.” A judge ordered him held without bond on Tuesday.
History of Violent Behavior
This is not the first violent incident involving Boucher. In 2022, he was accused of attempting to choke and gouge the eyes of a police K-9 during an arrest, according to local reports.
The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances of the attack, which Chief Pape characterized as an isolated but senseless act of violence.
