Eric Gaulin, Ex-Boyfriend of Megan Bookstaver, Sentenced for Her Killing

Tarrytown resident Eric Gaulin, 26, was sentenced Thursday to “shock probation, six months in County Jail and five years post release supervision” in connection with the killing of his former girlfriend Megan Bookstaver, Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced.

In September, 2013, Gaulin shot Bookstaver in the face with a rifle, for which he pleaded guilty to second degree manslaughter.

• Related: Megan Bookstaver Killing: Ex-Boyfriend Eric Gaulin Pleads Guilty

“Having any type of firearm in one’s possession is a full-time job. As evidenced in this case, one cannot emphasize enough how a gun owner must know how to use, handle and store a firearm safely,” said DiFiore in a prepared statement. “The defendant, by abrogating that responsibility was liable for the outcome that resulted in the tragic consequences for all involved.”

According to the District Attorney’s office:

On Monday, September 2, 2013, Labor Day, the defendant, his girlfriend, the deceased, and a mutual friend spend time together at the Palisades Center Mall in Rockland County.

They went to the Dick’s Sporting Goods store where they purchased a Savage Arms Axis 243 caliber rifle for the victim in a pink and black camouflage color, along with a box of ammunition for a 308 caliber Winchester rifle owned by the defendant.

They all then went to the defendant’s home in Tarrytown.

The defendant then took out several other rifles that he had in his possession at the house.

At about 4:20pm a shot rang out and the victim was struck in the face by a projectile from one of the rifles.

Family members in the house called 911.

Tarrytown police and EMS responded but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Assistant District Attorney Perry Perrone Chief of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Kristina Dushaj of the Investigations Division are prosecuted the case.

Photo: Eric Gaulin. Photo credit: Westchester County District Attorney’s Office

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