A Florida man, Junior Boucher, has been charged with the first-degree murder of 65-year-old Brian Hiltebeitel following a brutal attack at the Sandhill Crane Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens on Monday, November 27, 2024.

Boucher, 36, is accused of violently attacking Hiltebeitel using the victim’s own golf clubs before drowning him in a nearby pond.

The horrifying incident, which unfolded on the golf course’s first hole, has been described by police as a random act of violence.

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Witnesses reported that Boucher aggressively pursued Hiltebeitel, who attempted to escape the attack.

“He’s trying to kill me!” Hiltebeitel was heard shouting as he tried to flee from Boucher, according to a witness statement.

The victim eventually ran toward a pond, where Boucher caught up with him and continued the assault.

Authorities say that Boucher jumped on top of Hiltebeitel and appeared to choke him.

Afterward, Boucher allegedly retrieved a golf club and struck Hiltebeitel in the head multiple times, leaving him with severe head wounds.

Boucher then reportedly stripped off his clothes and fled into the woods.

Palm Beach Gardens Police officers arrived at the scene shortly after the attack and found Boucher running away.

When he refused to comply with commands, officers used an “electronic control weapon” to subdue him. Boucher was arrested and taken into custody.

Hiltebeitel was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department noted that the victim had deep lacerations on the back of his head, consistent with the injuries caused by the golf clubs.

Chief Dominick Pape of the Palm Beach Gardens Police stated that, based on the investigation so far, there was no evidence suggesting that Boucher and Hiltebeitel had any prior relationship or interaction.

“This appears to be a random act of violence,” Pape said. “Boucher used the victim’s golf clubs as weapons and viciously attacked him, ultimately killing him.”

Boucher, who has a criminal history including previous arrests for domestic battery, battery on a police officer, and drug possession, is facing first-degree murder charges.

In court, Boucher was denied bond and ordered not to have contact with witnesses or possess any weapons.

Witnesses to the attack were reportedly shaken by the violence they witnessed, with many noting how brutal and unprovoked the assault seemed.

According to reports, Boucher had been evicted from his family’s home just hours before the attack, raising questions about his state of mind prior to the violent incident.

Hiltebeitel, who was described as the owner of an organic snack food company, was mourned by friends and family.

His tragic death has left the community in shock, especially as the attack occurred in broad daylight on a golf course, a place typically associated with calm and leisure.

The incident is still under investigation, and authorities are working to determine any further details that may have contributed to the violence.