Russian Roulette Suspected in Northeast Death

A man shot and killed his best friend in a botched game of Russian roulette Friday, according to court documents.

Police went to the scene of a shooting in the 5400 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue in northeast Washington about 11 p.m. Friday. Authorities took 20-year-old Lugus Fleming to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

After Terrell Rashad Brent, 19, who was described as the victim’s best friend, News4’s Pat Collins reported, initially was charged with second-degree murder while armed. That was reduced to voluntary manslaughter.

Fleming and Brent lived in the same house. They apparently played Russian roulette Friday night in a bedroom in that house, Collins reported. According to court documents, Fleming emptied amunition from the gun and pulled the trigger. It didn't fire. He handed it to Brent, who pulled the trigger and fired a shot that struck Fleming in the neck, according to court documents.

Brent was ordered held without bond, Collins reported.

Fleming was studying computer science at a community college and was expecting the birth of his first child.

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