HOUSTON, Texas — A 37-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder after a so-called “game” involving rifles and Kevlar helmets ended in the death of his friend.
According to authorities, Sean O’Donnell and Aaron Prout, a UK native, were inside O’Donnell’s home on August 17 when they began taking turns shooting each other in the head while wearing a Kevlar helmet. The two had allegedly been drinking at the time.
Kevlar helmets, though designed to withstand high-impact trauma, are not fully bulletproof—particularly against close-range rifle fire.
Tragically, Prout sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head during the stunt. He was rushed to a Houston-area hospital but later died of his injuries.
Initially, law enforcement suspected the injury was self-inflicted, but a deeper investigation revealed inconsistencies. According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, witnesses provided video evidence showing the men taking turns shooting at each other, with friends urging them to stop.
A Harris County judge stated: “The defendant and his friend were playing with guns. They were drinking. They were shooting at a Kevlar helmet… until the complainant ended up with a bullet hole in the top of his head.”
The judge further expressed concern for public safety, noting that O’Donnell had attempted to mislead police, initially claiming Prout shot himself. However, videos and witness statements contradicted that story.
O’Donnell has been charged with murder and is currently being held in Harris County Jail on $3,000 bail.
The case remains under investigation, and more details may emerge as authorities continue reviewing digital evidence and interviewing witnesses.
