Background: News footage of Omarion Horne at his arraignment on Oct. 10 (WLWT). Inset: Rachel Counts (Wilson Mortuary).
An Ohio man was charged with murder after prosecutors said he shot his friend in the chest while suggesting they “play Russian roulette.”
Omarion Horne, 23, appeared in court for his arraignment on Friday after he was charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of Rachel Counts, also 23. The Cincinnati Police Department said in a press release that on the night of Oct. 5, the fire department responded to calls of a shooting. When first responders arrived, they discovered Counts with a gunshot wound and declared her dead at the scene.
Horne was arrested the following day, and during his court appearance on Friday, prosecutors told the judge that the suspect had suggested to his friends, “Let”s play Russian roulette.”
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According to courtroom reporting by local NBC affiliate WLWT, prosecutors said that Horne, Counts, and their significant others were holding a card game at a home in the Winton Hills neighborhood in Cincinnati. During the game, Horne allegedly produced a gun, took out all the rounds but one, and said, “Let’s play Russian roulette.”
Prosecutors said that Horne first held the gun to his own head before he allegedly pointed it at Counts and pulled the trigger. The fatal shot hit Counts in the chest.
WLWT reported that Judge William Mallory said during Horne’s arraignment, “It’s sad that people use a firearm as a toy, because if these circumstances are true, this is truly a tragedy.”
Mallory set Horne’s bail at $1 million. Horne is currently in custody at the Hamilton County Jail. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 16.
