Megan Bookstaver Killing: Ex-Boyfriend Eric Gaulin Pleads Guilty

Eric Gaulin, 26, of Tarrytown pleaded guilty Friday to one count of second-degree manslaughter in connection with the killing of his former girlfriend, 23-year-old Megan Bookstaver of Hicksville.

The incident occurred in September 2013 in his home when he shot her in the face with a rifle. He faces a maximum prison term of five to 15 years when he is sentenced in January.

Below is the press release from Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore about the guilty plea:

Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore announced that Eric Gaulin (DOB 06/07/88) of 157 West Main Street, Tarrytown, New York pled guilty today to:

• one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony,

relating to the death of Megan Bookstaver.

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.

Bail was continued at $50,000 cash or bond.

Sentencing will be on January 27th, 2015.

He faces a maximum sentence of five to fifteen years in prison.

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

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