19-Year-Old Charged in Death of Friend During Horseplay

MIAMI, FL — A 19-year-old was charged with killing his friend on Thursday after the loaded gun they had been horsing around with discharged.

Brandon Velez of the 200 block of NE 114th St. was charged with manslaughter with a deadly weapon after Wednesday's shooting death of 20-year-old Bobby Duverny, according to Miami-Dade police.

Duverny of the 1000 block of NW 155 Lane, suffered a fatal head wound in the bedroom of a third friend, who witnessed the incident in the 14000 block of NW 9 Court shortly after 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

"Responding officers located the victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the head," explained Miami-Dade Dective Marjorie Eloi.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue pronounced Duverny dead at the scene, according to Eloi.

According to arrest documents, the witness told police that Velez and Duverny had been taking turns pointing the loaded gun at one another.

"Just seconds before the shooting, the defendant pointed the firearm at the victim at which time the victim grabbed the barel," the documents state. "As the victim grabbed the barrel, the firearm discharged, striking the victim in the face, exiting out towards the back of the skull."

Velez fled on foot through a rear door and attempted to discard the firearm and burn the clothing that he had been wearing. He later led police to the clothing and weapon.

Photo of Brandon Velez by Miami-Dade Police Department