Palm Beach Gardens, FL — A horrifying and seemingly random act of violence occurred at the Sandhill Crane Golf Club on Monday when 65-year-old golfer Brian Hiltebeitel was brutally attacked and killed by a man wielding his own golf clubs.
The suspect, identified as 36-year-old Junior Boucher, had been reported missing by his family just an hour before the attack, according to Palm Beach Gardens Police.
Witnesses Describe Vicious Attack
Witnesses told police they saw Hiltebeitel playing golf with two other individuals when Boucher approached, holding a golf club. They heard Hiltebeitel yelling, “He’s trying to kill me,” as he attempted to retreat. Boucher repeatedly struck him with a golf club, eventually chasing him toward a nearby pond.
According to the police report, once at the pond, Boucher tackled Hiltebeitel into the water and appeared to choke him. Afterward, he retrieved a golf club and delivered multiple blows to Hiltebeitel’s head. Witnesses reported that Hiltebeitel was no longer moving when Boucher exited the pond, stripped off his wet clothes, and fled the scene.
First responders found Hiltebeitel with severe head injuries and pronounced him dead at the scene. His girlfriend later told investigators that he had recently moved to Florida from the Philadelphia area.
Police Arrest Suspect After Chase
Officers responding to the 911 call spotted Boucher fleeing the golf course and apprehended him after a brief foot pursuit that required the use of a Taser to subdue him. Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Dominick Pape described the attack as “a random act of violence.”
“At this time, it does not appear that Boucher had any legitimate purpose for being at the golf course,” Pape said. “This appears to be a random act of violence where Boucher used the victim’s golf clubs as weapons and viciously attacked the victim, ultimately killing him.”
Suspect’s Troubled Past
Boucher has a lengthy criminal history dating back to at least 2006, including arrests for drug charges, domestic battery, and assaulting law enforcement officers. His family had reported him missing to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office shortly before the attack, although the circumstances of his disappearance remain unclear.
Charges and Community Reaction
Boucher has been charged with first-degree murder. He was arraigned on Tuesday and denied bond.
The shocking incident has left the Palm Beach Gardens community shaken. “This kind of senseless violence is incomprehensible,” one local resident said. “A peaceful game of golf turned into a nightmare.”
Authorities are continuing to investigate the attack and Boucher’s actions leading up to it. Meanwhile, tributes have poured in for Hiltebeitel, described by his loved ones as a kind and passionate man who embraced life in Florida after relocating from Philadelphia.
This tragic case highlights the need for vigilance and support for mental health and public safety resources to prevent similar acts of violence.
