California man faces murder charge in shooting death of friend; friend was testing bulletproof vest

A man accused in the shooting death of his friend, who was wearing a bulletproof vest when he died, has appeared in court.

The Sacramento Bee reports Sacramento County district attorney’s prosecutors filed a murder charge against 21-year-old Elijah Lambert Wednesday in the May 22 death of 19-year-old Miguel Martinez outside Bannister Park.

Martinez’ older brother, Thomas Cline, says Lambert, Martinez and other friends were hanging out at the park when Lambert said he wanted to test the bulletproof vest Martinez was wearing.

Cline says Lambert told Martinez not to worry before pulling the trigger of what prosecutors allege was a .22-caliber handgun.

Sheriff’s officials have called the case an “unintentional killing,” but say the shooting was intentional.

Lambert’s attorneys called the shooting a tragic situation with unintended consequences.