Teen who died playing Russian roulette identified

Pueblo police say a dangerous game cost a teenager his life Monday night.

The 17-year-old was identified Wednesday as Cruisito Leiba. The Pueblo County Coroner’s office says he died from a single gunshot wound to the head.

Police were called to a home in the 2100 block of E. 14th Street Monday night just before midnight. Witnesses told police the teen had been playing Russian roulette when he shot himself.

When officers arrived Leiba was still breathing but he later died at the hospital.

“This game is absolutely dangerous. It will kill you. And we do not want any kids playing this game, or adults,” said Capt. Kenny Rider.

Police said several other teens were at the home when the incident happened but the victim was the only one playing Russian roulette.

“Everybody verified or confirmed that this juvenile who died had been playing that game, had spun the cylinder and pulled the trigger at least four times before it actually fired,” Rider said.

Russian roulette is played by putting a single bullet in the cylinder of a gun, spinning the cylinder then putting the gun to one’s head and pulling the trigger.

Rider said fatalities involving Russian roulette are not common in Pueblo but said, “We don’t want this to become a trend, either.”

Police haven’t recovered the gun used in the shooting.