Sean O’Donnell, 37, and Aaron Prout, 34, took turns to blast a rifle at each other in a home in Houston, Texas, with O’Donnell now arrested on suspicion of murder
A British ex-marine has tragically died after participating in a deadly game where he and a friend took turns firing at each other’s heads whilst wearing bulletproof helmets.
Sean O’Donnell, 37, and Aaron Prout, 34, alternated shooting a rifle at one another inside a residence in Houston, Texas, on August 17.
But the dark game went catastrophically wrong and Aaron, a British marine veteran, was fatally wounded.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said deputies were summoned to the property and “discovered an adult male who had sustained what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head”.
He added that the victim was rushed to hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
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O’Donnell, who owned the property in the northern suburbs, has been detained on suspicion of murder.
The Sheriff said: “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.”
The incident was initially treated as a potential suicide but “things weren’t adding up”, according to police.
They said the truth was “ultimately revealed” after a thorough investigation.
It remains unclear which model of rifle the pair were using, as well as from what distance they were firing.
Officials also have not specified whether the bullet missed Prout’s helmet, or pierced it.
A Kevlar helmet does not claim to provide 100 percent protection.
A heartbroken relative of Prout’s said he served in the British Royal Marines for 10 years before moving to Texas – the “place he was happy and loved”.
They wrote on Facebook: “The loss of Aaron has left me utterly devastated, this is the most dreadful news I’ve ever received.
“Aaron was an incredibly caring and wonderful individual who was always there for his mates, he lived life to the absolute fullest.
“He had a fantastic job and was launching his own business. His passion was target shooting and he had won numerous tournaments.
“Aaron always made me feel like a million pounds whenever we spoke, and his tales of wild and wonderful adventures never failed to make me chuckle.
“He was known as one of the best pranksters, always sporting a smile and possessing a truly kind heart.”
O’Donnell is also a military veteran, according to his social media. He was charged with the murder of Prout and was taken into custody at the Harris County Jail on Thursday.