LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A Purdue University student has been charged with reckless homicide in the shooting death of a friend at a near-campus apartment.

The Tippecanoe County prosecutor’s office filed felony charges Wednesday against 22-year-old Cory Lynch of Carmel in the Aug. 22 death of 21-year-old Landon Siela of Fort Wayne.

Authorities say Lynch and another friend meant to scare Siela by pointing guns at him when he left the bathroom. Lynch told investigators he didn’t realize the gun was loaded before it fired, striking Siela in the throat.

Lynch’s first court appearance is scheduled Friday.

Defense attorney James Bell of Indianapolis said the case is tragic.

Police say the men had been drinking.