A woman from Cincinnati tragically lost her life after being shot in the chest by a friend who proposed a game of “Russian roulette” with a revolver, initially aiming the weapon at himself, as reported by officials.
Omarion Horne, 23, was arraigned in an Ohio state court on Friday facing murder charges for the death of Rachel Counts, also 23.
Emergency services were alerted to a shooting incident on the evening of October 5th, according to reports from law enforcement.
Upon arrival, responders discovered Counts with a gunshot wound, as reported by CBS News.
Firefighters in Cincinnati attempted to revive her, but sadly were unsuccessful. She was declared dead at the location.
Further inquiries revealed that Counts was with Horne and their partners while they were engaged in a card game at the residence.
During the game, Horne reportedly brandished his revolver and proposed they engage in “Russian roulette”—a dangerous game where a bullet is loaded, the cylinder is spun, and the gun is aimed at a participant before the trigger is pulled.
Horne aimed the gun at his own head, though police reports have not clarified whether he pulled the trigger.
He then allegedly directed the revolver at Counts’ chest and activated the trigger, causing a bullet to be fired.
Judge William Mallory commented on the incident, stating, “It’s a tragedy that individuals treat firearms as fun objects; should the circumstances be accurate, this is indeed heartbreaking.”
The judge established Horne’s bond at $1 million, with a grand jury appearance scheduled for Thursday.
Counts is mourned by her husband, Jarod Brooks; her parents, Bill and Becky Counts; her siblings, Mandy Carlson and Will Counts; her grandparents, Ann Dement, and Larry and Jo Ann Counts; along with numerous relatives and friends, according to an obituary online.
