Myles K. Stout, 20, was charged early this morning with reckless homicide after he told Hamilton County Sheriff's Office detectives he shot and killed 18-year-old Jesse Compton. Stout said he thought the gun was unloaded and they were horseplaying.

A 20-year-old man faces a charge of reckless homicide after he told Hamilton County Sheriff's Office detectives he shot and killed 18-year-old Jesse M. Compton in the chest Wednesday night.

Myles K. Stout, of Chattanooga, said he thought the gun was unloaded when he held the gun to Compton's chest. He said they were horseplaying.

When authorities arrived on the scene at 9:12 p.m. Wednesday at Stout's 9125 Stoney Mountain Dr. residence, Stout said Compton shot himself with the gun.

Witnesses told detectives that Stout fired the gun killing Compton. When confronted with the information, Stout admitted to the shooting.

Compton was dead when authorities arrived on scene.

Stout remains at the Hamilton County Jail. His bond was not set this morning.

Read more in tomorrow's Times Free Press.