A police officer is facing involuntary manslaughter after a game of Russian Roulette led to the death of a fellow officer.
The St. Louis police shared a probable cause statement on Friday, explaining the details of the incident. According to the release, 29-year-old Nathaniel Hendren allegedly killed another officer, 24-year-old Katlyn Alix, at his apartment on Thursday.
Hendren, Alix, and another officer were at Hendren’s apartment when Hendren removed all the bullets from a revolver, except for one, the statement read. That day, Alix was off duty while Hendren was on.
“He spun the cylinder and pointed it away and pulled the trigger,” the statement says. “The gun did not fire at this point. The victim took the gun and then pointed the gun at the defendant and pulled the trigger. The gun still did not fire. The defendant took the gun back and pointed it at the victim, pulled the trigger causing the gun to discharge. The victim was struck in the chest. The victim subsequently died from the gunshot wound to the chest.”
The third officer at Hendren’s apartment was his partner, who recommended that since they’re police officers, they “shouldn’t be playing with guns.” The unnamed officer said he was uncomfortable and “didn’t want any part of it.” But as he left the apartment, he heard a shot go off.
On Friday, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner also released a statement that said Hendren has been charged with involuntary first-degree manslaughter, and could face three to 10 years in prison.
“Today, as much as it saddens my staff and me to file these charges, Katlyn and her family deserve accountability and justice," the statement reads.
