An Ohio woman died after officials say she was allegedly shot during an ill-fated game of Russian roulette with a friend.
Rachel Counts, 23, died of a gunshot wound to the chest on Oct. 5 at a home in northern Cincinnati, according to a news release from the Cincinnati Police Department.
Counts had reportedly been playing cards with her friend Omarion Horne before officials alleged she was shot and killed by Horne, according to WKRC, WLWT, and WCPO.
Prosecutors claimed in court last week that Horne, also 23, told Counts he wanted to play Russian roulette, then pulled out a gun and removed all but one of the rounds before placing it to his head, according to local networks.
According to the reports, Horne pointed the gun at Counts, pulled the trigger, and fired a bullet that wounded her in the chest before emergency first responders arrived at the home. Counts was pronounced dead at the site, despite firefighters’ attempts to save his life, according to Cincinnati Police.
Horne faces felony murder, felonious assault, and reckless homicide charges, according to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office.
According to WLWT, Horne’s bond was set at $1 million, with Hamilton County Judge William Mallory lamenting the situation.
“It’s unfortunate that people use firearms as toys, because if these facts are true, this is a tragedy,” Judge Mallory reportedly told the court.
Courtroom video released by WKRC, WLWT, and WCPO showed Horne crying and clearly shivering as prosecutors read aloud their claimed version of the events.
Horne could face life in prison if convicted, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
According to WCPO, Horne’s defense attorney requested mercy from the judge when setting bond, given the defendant’s lack of a prior criminal or juvenile record.
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