A 19-year-old Georgia woman is dead after her boyfriend shot her in the head while “playing” with a gun they didn’t know was loaded.
Sebastian Prestridge, 19, has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Nina Ramirez, WSB reported.
The incident occurred when Ramirez’s mother, Maria Carmen Ramirez, mentioned that her daughter and friends were having a sleepover at her house. The shooting happened shortly before 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, and the firearm involved belonged to a friend of Prestridge.
“They began handling the gun,” Ramirez commented, noting that nobody verified whether the firearm was loaded before it was passed around and used as a plaything.
Investigators say Prestridge remained at the scene and cooperated.
Ramirez said she believes the shooting “was just an accident” but says it’s a wake up call about gun safety.
“People have to take care of the guns and save it in a safe place,” she said. “It’s not okay that this kind of accidents happen.”
“This is an unbelievably heartbreaking occurrence, and we extend our condolences to the victim’s family and friends,” stated Captain Dena Pauly, public information officer for the Lawrenceville Police Department. “Our investigators are committed to conducting a thorough and transparent inquiry into the conditions surrounding this young woman’s death.”
Prestridge is being held without bond, Law&Crime reported.
