NJ Man: Shooting of Friend in Maine an Accident

AUGUSTA, Maine -- A 23-year-old man facing manslaughter charges in the shooting death of a Maine friend says the gun went off by accident while he was playing with it.

Ryan Ouimet, of Colts Neck, N.J., appeared in court Wednesday in Farmington

He is charged in the May 31 shooting death of 23-year-old Andrew Holland, of Cape Elizabeth, days after the two men had graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington.

The Morning Sentinel of Waterville says Ouimet told police he was tossing his handgun back and forth in his hands when he hit the trigger and shot his friend in the chest.

Ouimet is free on $10,000 bail.

Holland's family had no comment.

Ouimet says he loves his friend Andy and can "think of nothing else but them right now."