CLAREMORE — A Claremore man who intended to "scare" his cousin by pointing a gun at him while the pair were drinking was charged Friday with second-degree murder in the cousin's death, authorities said.
Preston Adam Dohrer, 21, is charged in the slaying of Michael David Duke, 20, who died of a gunshot to the head, according to the state Medical Examiner's Office in Tulsa.
Authorities discovered Duke's body about 1:45 a.m. Oct. 24 in the living room at Dohrer's home, records show.
Dohrer reportedly told police he shot Duke accidentally. Assistant Police Chief Stan Brown said the two were cousins.
Dohrer told police he intended to point the 9 mm pistol at Duke and pull the trigger on an empty chamber, but the gun fired, police reports show.
A witness told officers that Dohrer and Duke were "playing around with each other" and playing with knives.
The witness said Dohrer went to his bedroom and returned with a handgun, which he pointed at Duke and fired once.
—Rhett Morgan, World Staff Writer
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