CHICAGO, IL — A 17-year-old West Side youth killed himself on New Year's Eve playing Russian roulette with a .38-caliber pistol, police said.

The victim was identified as Mark Mercado, of 1645 N. Artesian, who shot himself in the head in front of a group of friends in an apartment at 2606 W. Homer, Area 5 Violent Crimes Detective Nick

No one else in the apartment was taking part in the game.

Gaudio said. Gaudio said Mercado had a history of playing the game.

No one else in the apartment was taking part in the game, Gaudio said.

[Just one more reason to avoid playing Russian roulette by yourself.]