Deputy Shot Self While Playing Russian Roulette

A rookie sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot himself Tuesday “was apparently playing Russian roulette” rather than cleaning his gun as first reported, authorities said Wednesday.

Initial reports said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Tracey Newmon, 22, was cleaning his gun in the security office of an Eagle Rock department store when it discharged. On Wednesday, however, Sgt. Noel Lanier said Newmon “was sitting with some old high school friends when he loaded his revolver. Then he took all the bullets out except one and pointed it at his head.”

Lanier said Newmon “apparently miscalculated the position of the one bullet. It appears he could have been playing Russian roulette.”