Chase Koepke was a 26-year-old veteran studying nursing in the Ocala, Florida, area. He lived with family and had a twin sister; his birthday fell two weeks after the night he died. On December 30, 2023, Chase was at his home on Southwest 146th Avenue Road with two friends who had come to help paint a room. After finishing, Chase and 22-year-old Abraham Bordas sat on the couch drinking Twisted Iced Teas. Bordas later admitted drinking four of the beverages and being heavily intoxicated.

According to the arrest report, Bordas picked up Chase’s handgun, pointed it at him and, while admiring it, pulled the trigger. The single shot struck Chase in the abdomen. A woman in the kitchen heard the shot, saw Chase stumble and tried to stem the bleeding before he lost consciousness. Paramedics took Chase to a local hospital, where he died. Bordas was arrested, charged with manslaughter with a firearm, and released on bond after booking. The victim’s father said he hoped it had been an accident but was anguished that Bordas never apologized.

If anyone knew Chase, his routines or the circumstances at that address on December 30, 2023, please share what you know.