STRUTHERS, OHIO – The 20-year-old man who police said accidentally shot and killed an Ohio State student on Dec. 15 was charged with homicide and could face six months in prison if convicted.
Daniel Buccino, 20, of Poland, Ohio, pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Struthers, Ohio, Municipal Court to negligent homicide, a first-degree misdemeanor.
Buccino, a Toledo University student and family friend, was originally charged with felonious reckless homicide after shooting OSU freshman Marissa Plakosh, 18, in the neck.
He and the victim’s brother, Michael, were handling a firearm, which discharged once and struck Plakosh.
Jeanne Plakosh, the victim’s mother, was awakened by the gunshot around 5:50 a.m. She found her daughter slumped over a chair and proceeded to give her CPR, according to Poland Township Police.
Plakosh told police her son, also an OSU student, bought the 9 mm semi-automatic pistol due to the increase of crime on OSU’s campus.
Buccino is also suspected of using alcohol, according to police. He was not, however, charged with any alcohol-related violations.
If convicted of a first-degree misdemeanor, Buccino could go to jail for up to six months and pay a $1,000 fine.
After evidence was reviewed, the incident was ruled an accident. Buccino is expected back in court at an undetermined date.
Amanda Dolasinski can be reached at [email protected]
