Nicholas J. Nellett, 21, of Port Clinton, Ohio, has been indicted on two third-degree felonies: reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter, in connection with the fatal shooting of his friend Matthew Peterson.
According to police reports, the incident occurred at around 1 a.m. on June 7 at Nellett's residence on Lincoln Drive. Officers responded to a report of a shooting and found Peterson with a gunshot wound to his left side. A third man was holding pressure on the wound until EMTs arrived.
Nellett allegedly told police that he had been drinking with Peterson, and they both pulled out their handguns and dropped the magazines from the guns. Nellett claimed he thought the chamber of his gun was empty, but a round was actually in the chamber when he pulled the trigger.
Peterson died at the hospital just before 2 a.m., less than an hour after being shot. Nellett was taken into custody and later interviewed by police, during which he reportedly expressed remorse for the incident and described Peterson as his "best friend".
Nellett is also charged with one first-degree misdemeanor count of using weapons while intoxicated.
**Background**
The Port Clinton Police Department responded to the shooting on June 7. Nellett was initially detained at the scene before being taken into custody. An arraignment for Nellett was scheduled in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court, but no further information is available regarding its outcome or any subsequent developments in the case.
Third-degree felonies are punishable by up to five years in prison in Ohio.