Jury Finds Shooting Was Accidental, Not Criminal
An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent was acquitted Wednesday of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a fellow agent following a training session at an Arizona gun range in 2023. The jury cleared Larry Edward Brown Jr. of all charges in the August 17, 2023, death of IRS Special Agent Patrick Bauer, determining that the shooting was an accident rather than a criminal act.
Brown wept as the verdict was read and later expressed deep remorse for Bauer’s death. In a statement issued through his attorneys, he described Bauer as a mentor and a brother, saying he misses him every day. Outside the courtroom, emotions ran high as several of Bauer’s family members sobbed, and one woman threw her purse against a wall in frustration.
The Fatal Shooting
The shooting happened at the Federal Correctional Institution in Phoenix, where Bauer had just finished overseeing a standard live-fire pistol qualification session for 16 IRS criminal investigators. After the training ended, one of the agents stepped outside to retrieve his phone. Moments later, he heard a gunshot.
According to prosecutors, Brown, a defensive tactics instructor, ran out of the building yelling that he had messed up and shot Bauer. The bullet struck Bauer in the upper torso, and he was rushed to the hospital, where he later died during surgery. No one else was in the building at the time of the shooting.
Prosecution Argued the Death Was Preventable
Federal prosecutors insisted that Bauer’s death was entirely preventable and that Brown’s reckless handling of his firearm violated fundamental gun safety rules. They argued that he failed to treat the gun as if it were loaded, did not keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, and placed his finger on the trigger before he was ready to fire.
The government also pointed to statements attributed to Brown, where he allegedly told an FBI agent that he should have known better as a use-of-force instructor. Prosecutors maintained that his negligence ultimately led to Bauer’s death and that he should be held responsible.
Defense Maintained It Was a Tragic Accident
Brown’s lawyers argued that while the shooting was a terrible accident, it was not a crime. They emphasized that Brown and Bauer were close friends and that Brown immediately attempted to save Bauer’s life. They noted that Brown called 911, applied a chest seal to maintain Bauer’s lung function, and sought assistance from other federal officers at the scene.
His legal team also disputed claims that Brown blamed himself. The defense refuted testimony from FBI Agent Taylor Hannah, who stated that Brown repeatedly said, “I am a use-of-force instructor. I should know better.” Brown’s lawyers insisted their client never made those remarks.
Questions Over Medical Delays
During the trial, the defense raised concerns about possible delays in medical care, arguing that Bauer might have survived had he been transported to the hospital sooner. Dr. Kenji Inaba, a medical expert hired by Brown’s team, testified that the ambulance took approximately 25 minutes to leave the scene and another 14 minutes to reach the hospital. He suggested that federal agents with medical training could have transported Bauer themselves instead of waiting for emergency responders, especially since the location did not have a nearby trauma center.
Prosecutors countered that Bauer’s fatal injury was caused by the bullet negligently fired from Brown’s gun, not by any delays in medical treatment. They argued that even with standard care and no delays, Bauer’s injuries may still have been fatal.
Verdict and Aftermath
The jury deliberated for just one hour and 45 minutes before delivering a not-guilty verdict. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona, which prosecuted the case, later issued a statement expressing continued support for Bauer’s family while also respecting the jury’s decision.
With the verdict, Brown is now free, but the case has left a lasting impact on both the IRS law enforcement community and Bauer’s grieving family. While the legal proceedings have ended, the loss of Bauer continues to weigh heavily on those who knew him.
