Teen Killed Himself Playing Russian Roulette, Police Say

A seventeen-year-old male in Pueblo died late Monday night of a single gunshot wound to the head. This scenario suggests suicide, but members of the Pueblo Police Department believe the actual explanation is stranger. The PPD maintains that the teen killed himself while playing a game of Russian Roulette. Just...

By Michael Roberts

July 29, 2015

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A seventeen-year-old male in Pueblo died late Monday night of a single gunshot wound to the head.

This scenario suggests suicide, but members of the Pueblo Police Department believe the actual explanation is stranger.

The PPD maintains that the teen killed himself while playing a game of Russian Roulette.

Just prior to midnight, the department states, officers were dispatched to an address on the 2100 block of East 14th Street.

The area near the location is seen in the following interactive graphic. If you have problems seeing the image, click "View on Google Maps."

Upon the cops' arrival, the teen was still breathing.

However, he succumbed to his wounds after being transported to an area hospital.

Meanwhile, investigators spoke with a number of juveniles who were on hand at the time of the shooting.

They told the cops that the teen had a revolver-type pistol in his possession.

He loaded it with a single bullet, spun the cylinder, put the barrel to his head and pulled the trigger — playing the game known as Russian roulette.

Unfortunately, after some time, the bullet fired, causing the fatal wound.

The name of the victim hasn't been released at this writing, and neither has the gun been found. A police spokesman speaking to KOAA-TV believes that one of the people who witnessed the killing panicked and either hid or destroyed it.

In the meantime, mourners gathered at the address yesterday to hold a vigil for the young man, with one of the teens saying, "I don't know why anybody would try to risk their life to win a game like that. Like, it's pointless. What do you get at the end? You don't get no prize or nothing."

Our condolences to the friends, family and loved ones of the teen.

Continue to see the aforementioned KOAA-TV report.

KOAA.com | Continuous News | Colorado Springs and Pueblo
Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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