In the early morning hours of December 6, 2020, the life of 20-year-old Tyler Rascon was tragically cut short in Mesa, Arizona. A recent graduate of Red Mountain High School, Rascon was known for his vibrant personality and his passion for rugby and bodybuilding. He was a personal trainer and also worked in security.
The fatal incident occurred at the residence of his longtime friend, 21-year-old Michael Whipple.
Rascon, Whipple, and another friend had returned to Whipple's home after attending a party. Whipple decided to show Rascon and the other friend a handgun he had recently purchased for his birthday.
According to witness statements and court documents, Whipple removed the magazine from the handgun and handed it to Rascon, stating that the weapon was not loaded and therefore safe to handle. However, a round had been left in the chamber. As Rascon handed the gun back to Whipple, the firearm discharged, and Rascon was struck by the single bullet. He screamed and collapsed to the ground. Whipple and his girlfriend immediately began performing CPR while another person in the house called 911. Despite their efforts, Rascon was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
In the investigation that followed, Whipple admitted to police that he had not checked the chamber for a bullet before handing the gun to his friend, a step he acknowledged he usually took. A search of the home recovered the handgun. Subsequently, Michael Whipple was arrested and charged with one count of manslaughter in the death of Tyler Rascon.
