A Texas man accused of shooting his 19-year-old cousin dead told police it was accidental — and that he was trying to test his reaction time.
Jose Magareno, 21, was arrested and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of his younger cousin, Emmanuel Najera, on Monday, The Dallas Morning News reported.
Najera and his younger brother were visiting Magareno at his home in Dallas to celebrate Najera’s birthday when the shooting unfolded around 5 p.m., according to a Dallas police arrest-warrant affidavit obtained by the outlet.
The group was in a bedroom discussing firearms and practicing concealed carry when Magareno asked Najera to test his “reaction time,” the affidavit said.
Instead, Magareno drew a loaded pistol and shot Najera in the chest, the affidavit said.
Magareno called 911 and told the operator he “accidentally” shot his younger cousin, according to the affidavit.
The 21-year-old later told police he regularly practiced using his firearm and believed he had removed the rounds from the gun before pointing it at his cousin and pulling the trigger.
Najera was taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead around 8 p.m.
Magareno was booked into the Dallas County Jail on a murder charge. As of Wednesday, his bond had not been set, according to jail records.
Police investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
