Officer Nathaniel Hendren was charged Friday in the death of Katlyn Alix, another officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.
Hendren had been on duty when he met Alix, who was off duty, at his home Thursday and the two began playing with guns, according to a statement of probable cause.
Hendren produced a revolver, emptied the cylinder and put one round back in, the statement said. He then spun the cylinder, pointed it away and pulled the trigger. The gun did not fire, officials said.
Alix took the gun, pointed it at Hendren and compressed the trigger. The gun still did not fire, the statement said.
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Hendren then took the gun back, pointed it at her and pulled the trigger. This time, the gun went off. Alix was fatally shot in the chest, officials said.
The shooting of a police officer at the hands of another immediately raised questions about what had happened and drew added attention because officials said Hendren was on duty at the time.
Hendren’s partner, who was also there and who was not identified, told officials that he had felt uncomfortable that the others were playing with guns and started to leave before he heard a gunshot, the statement said.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the police initially called the shooting “accidental” and later said the officer had “mishandled” the weapon.
On Friday, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner said her office had evidence to file charges.
“We lost a shining star and a dedicated public servant,” Gardner said in a statement, adding that an investigation was continuing.
“I have said this many times before,” she said. “I will hold people accountable who violate Missouri law regardless of their profession, public status or station in life. Today, as much as it saddens my staff and me to file these charges, Katlyn and her family deserve accountability and justice.”
Hendren could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Police Chief John Hayden Jr. said on Twitter that Alix was “an enthusiastic and energetic young woman with a bright future ahead of her.”
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.