Man Admits Shooting Athlete In Russian Roulette Death: Cops

Two men who were previously charged after their friend was killed in a game of Russian Roulette now admit that the athlete and former Homecoming King was shot by mistake, authorities announced on Tuesday.

Nasir Mason, 19, and Morton Newman, 20, both of Camden, have been charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of 19-year-old Diquese Young, of Camden, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.

They were previously charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault (pointing a firearm), and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Mason was also charged with a certain persons offense.

Newman previously said Young,who played football, ran track and was the 2018 homecoming king, shot himself in the head during a game of Russian roulette at Morton's home, according to the probable cause statement filed in the case.

Initially, they said that Young, Newman and Mason had taken turns pointing the gun to their own head and pulling the trigger, according to the probable cause statement. Newman and Mason each took a turn with no
bullet being fired. However, when Young pulled the trigger, a shot was fired and he was struck in the head.

What really happened, police say, is that Mason told detectives Newman accidentally shot Young. Newman then admitted that the hammer on the revolver was jammed and cocked when it was Young's turn, and Mason said he knew how to fix it.

Newman said Mason held the bottom of the gun while Newman held the hammer back. As Mason pulled the trigger, the hammer went forward and the revolver fired. Young was struck in the head and fell to the ground. Newman's brother came home a short time later, and they took Young to MD Anderson Cancer Center, believing it to be Cooper University Hospital, according to the prosecutor's office.

Camden County police were called, at which point Mason fled the area, according to the prosecutor's office. The shooting took place on Oct. 14, and Young died two days later, according to the prosecutor's office. An autopsy determined the cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was homicide.

Initially, they said that Young, Newman and Mason had taken turns pointing the gun to their own head and pulling the trigger, according to the probable cause statement. Newman and Mason each took a turn with no
bullet being fired. However, when Young pulled the trigger, a shot was fired and he was struck in the head.

Newman and Mason are currently detained at the Camden County Correctional Facility pending their pretrial detention hearings, which are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 25. Read more here: NJ Athlete Killed In Game Of Russian Roulette; 2 Charged: Police

Young graduated earlier this year. In February, he was honored by the school district and the Camden City Rotary Club for academic improvement and being a strong role model, according to a spokesperson for the school district.

Main image via Woodrow Wilson High School