Russian-roulette-style game claims New Hope man's life

Greg Merchant, left, and Mike Arledge

November 13, 2018 10:51:44 AM

A 20-year-old man has died after he and several others were apparently playing a Russian roulette-style game over the weekend.

Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant confirmed Darren Tyler Hall died Sunday at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson from a gunshot wound he sustained Saturday night at a neighbor's home at 1817 Phillips Hill Road in New Hope. Authorities responded to the scene at about 7:30 p.m.

According to Lowndes County Sheriff Mike Arledge, no one is facing charges for Hall's death, which has been ruled an accident.

He told The Dispatch Hall was playing a game that was either Russian roulette or similar with a group of several people about his age. Multiple witnesses told investigators the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.

"There was some horseplay with a gun and the gun went off," Arledge said. "... It's just a tragic accident."

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