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Michigan university student, 19, dies after being shot by boyfriend in Russian roulette game gone wrong

Lyniah Bell's boyfriend Lafayette Hodges told the police it was an accident and that he believed the gun was empty when it went off
UPDATED DEC 31, 2019
Lafayette Hodges (Chicago Police Department)
Lafayette Hodges (Chicago Police Department)

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: A Michigan State University student who was on break in Chicago was fatally shot by her boyfriend in a game of Russian roulette. 

The prosecutors revealed that she was fatally shot by her boyfriend who was playing with the gun in an apartment on the city's Southside. A judge ordered Lafayette Hodges, 18, to be held without the possibility of bail.

He faced a felony count of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Lyniah Bell, 19, who took a gunshot to the head. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, judge Arthur Wesley Willis said, "This is a tragedy that could have been avoided."

Hodges had turned himself in to the authorities over the weekend. Bell's family is of the belief that she was beaten up by Hodges before being shot to death. Hodges has denied these claims and insists that the shooting was an accident, prosecutors said.

After turning himself in, Hodges had reportedly shared with the police that 'he loved her too much to hurt her' and claimed that they had been 'play fighting' with the gun. Hodges had many run-ins with the law and had told the police that he believed that the gun was empty when it went off.

While in a bedroom, Hodges had played with the gun and had first pointed it at a friend and pulled the trigger. He then did the same to himself after which he pointed the gun at Bell and then fired it. Hodges' family called 911 while he ran from the apartment with the gun.

As reported by ABC7, Bell's family is livid that Hodges has not been charged with murder. Bell's relative, Josehph Wright shared, "There is a lot of unanswered questions, this guy had time to go and make up all these things, and for the court to sit back it is disgraceful."

Bell's cousin Sam Brown said, "Who wants their daughter with someone who has a criminal past and who uploads (photos of) guns on Facebook?" Another cousin added, "I don’t wish the death penalty for him… but he should get at least 45 (years). He shouldn’t be out in five years. I think that’s ridiculous!"

Hodges faces a maximum of five years if he is convicted.

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