MARION COUNTY, FL – Abraham Bordas, 22, has been charged with negligent homicide following the accidental shooting death of his friend, Chase Koepke, 26, on December 30. The incident occurred at Koepke’s residence in the outskirts of Dunnellon, in the Ocala metropolitan area.
According to law enforcement reports, Bordas and Koepke were drinking Twisted Iced Teas together before the incident. Bordas, reportedly inebriated, picked up Koepke’s gun, admiring it, and inadvertently shot Koepke in the stomach or abdomen. Bordas immediately called 911, but Koepke later died at the hospital.
Bordas told sheriff’s deputies he was unaware the gun was loaded and that the safety was off. He also claimed he did not realize he had discharged the weapon until Koepke reacted to being shot.
A witness, present at the scene, described the atmosphere as casual, with the two men laughing and listening to music shortly before the tragic incident. Bordas, who had been friends with Koepke for two years, was initially at the residence to help with painting.