Man arrested for murder after two friends shot each other in head while wearing helmets
A US man has been arrested and charged with the murder of his friend after the two men had taken turns shooting each other in the head while wearing helmets.
On 17 August, friends Sean O’Donnell and his friend Aaron Prout had decided to play a 'game' inside O’Donnell's home, which allegedly involved shooting at each other.
The two would each take turns wearing a Kevlar helmet while the other person shot them in the head with a rifle.
Although not entirely bulletproof, Kevlar helmets are favoured by modern militaries as they are specifically designed to withstand heavy impacts in combat situations.
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Unfortunately, the 'game' would end in tragedy as UK native Prout sustained serious bullet wounds. He was transported to a local hospital in Houston, Texas, where he later died of his injuries.
Local law enforcement has since confirmed that O’Donnell, 37, has been arrested and charged with the murder of Prout.
"Hard to believe two, so-called friends, would take turns shooting at each other wearing a kevlar helmet, inside a house in a residential neighbourhood, while using a rifle," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said of the incident on X.
A report from ABC has since provided further details about the incident, suggesting the men were holding the helmet above their heads while the other shot at it.
"The defendant and his friend were playing with guns. They were drinking. They were shooting at a kevlar helmet," the judge said. "They were holding it above their heads until the complainant ended up with a bullet hole in the top of his head."
The judge continued: "We are in a situation here where this is a real danger to the community because the defendant gets intoxicated and uses weapons irresponsibly."
It's understood that authorities had initially believed that Prout's injury was self-inflicted; however, a subsequent investigation later revealed this was not the case.
O'Donnell has since been accused of attempting to cover up the circumstances of Prout's death, with the judge adding: "The defendant is alleged to have told the police that he shot himself but there are witnesses who have video that the defendant and complainant sent of that them playing with the gun and shooting with the helmet back and forth and these friends told them to stop."
As of now, O’Donnell remains behind bars, with his bail currently set at $3,000 (£2,221).
LADbible Group has approached the Harris County Sheriff's office for comment.
Brenna Cooper