Banker's assistant, 30, 'accidentally shot and killed his 27-year-old friend' after playing about with a gun at a drunken dinner party that was being streamed live on Facebook 

  • Steven Leannais charged with manslaughter over Anthony Stanford II's death
  • The 30-year-old allegedly shot his friend at his Cleveland home last Thursday
  • Leannais had Stanford and friends over for dinner when shooting occurred
  • They filmed a Facebook live video that showed them playing with the gun
  • Leannais is seen in the footage assuring viewers the gun was not loaded
  • After video ended, Leannais fired gun and Stanford was shot in the abdomen
  • Leannais' attorney said his client wishes he could trade places with the victim

By Emily Crane For Dailymail.com

Published: 00:17 EST, 13 December 2016 | Updated: 03:22 EST, 13 December 2016

A man is accused of accidentally shooting dead his friend during a dinner party that was being streamed live on Facebook.

Steven Leannais, 30, was charged with manslaughter over the fatal shooting of his friend Anthony Stanford II, 27, at his home in Cleveland, Ohio last Thursday.

Leannais was hosting Stanford and two other friends for dinner in his apartment when the shooting took place at about 9.50pm.

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Steven Leannais was recorded on a Facebook Live video taking the bullets out of a gun (pictured) at his Cleveland home before his friend Anthony Stanford II was shot dead

Steven Leannais, 30, was charged with manslaughter over the fatal shooting of his friend Anthony Stanford II at his home in Cleveland last Thursday

The Facebook Live video was posted before the shooting occurred and featured Leannais and the two other friends playing around with the gun before Stanford arrived, Cleveland.com reports.

At one point in the video, Leannais assured viewers the gun was not loaded and held the bullets up to the camera. 

Stanford, who worked as a maintenance worker and repaired homes, is seen in the footage arriving at the apartment before the video ends. 

After the video recording ended, Leannais allegedly picked up the gun, lowered it to his side and pulled the trigger, according to police reports. 

A bullet fired and hit Stanford in the upper abdomen.

Police reports say Leannais dialed 911 after Stanford was shot. The victim was taken to hospital by paramedics but died a short time later. 

Anthony Stanford II, 27, was shot in the upper abdomen. He was rushed to hospital but died a short time later

The Facebook Live video was posted before the shooting occurred and featured Leannais and the two other friends (pictured) playing around with the gun before Stanford arrived

Leannais faced Cleveland Municipal Court on Monday where his bond was set at $10,000.

He does not have a criminal record and he worked as a banker for mortgage company BBMC Mortgage, according to his Facebook page. 

Prosecutors claim the shooting was not an accident and that Leannais was responsible for shooting the gun. 

Leannais' blood alcohol reading at the time is being looked into. 

His attorney Leif Christman told the court Leannais was 'extremely sorry' and offered condolences to the victim's mother. 

'If there was any to trade places, he'd gladly do it,' Christman said. 

'It's so tragic. His friend is deceased. He hasn't eaten or slept since it happened. He needs to get counseling.'

Stanford is seen in the footage arriving at the apartment before the video ends (pictured) 

Leannais does not have a criminal record and he worked as a banker for mortgage company BBMC Mortgage, according to his Facebook page

 

 

 

 

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