IRS special agent for criminal investigation indicted on involuntary manslaughter charge

A special agent for the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) was indicted in Tucson, Arizona, Wednesday by a federal grand jury on one count of Involuntary Manslaughter of an Officer of the United States.

Larry Edward Brown, Jr., 42, of Peoria, is the agent who was charged, according to a press release from the U.S. States Attorney's Office, District of Arizona.

It is based on an incident that allegedly occurred on August 17, 2023, at a firearm range at the Federal Correctional Institution – Phoenix that is used for standard pistol qualifications and classroom training. Brown, a special agent for IRS-CI for more than 12 years, is a trained Use of Force Instructor.

Following the day’s training, Brown entered the one-room building known as the “Tower,” from which the instructors observe and command live-fire training.

“The only other occupant inside the Tower was Special Agent Patrick Bauer, a 15-year veteran of IRS-CI and a trained Use of Force Instructor, who had led the live-fire pistol qualifications that day,” according to the press release. “As alleged in the indictment, while inside the Tower, Brown handled his firearm without due caution and with reckless disregard for human life, striking Special Agent Bauer in the torso with a single gunshot.”

Bauer was taken to a hospital nearby where he died from the gunshot wound.

Brown had his initial court appearance on Friday and has been released. The trial has been set for April 2, 2024.