Christopher Lemley (pictured), 30, accidentally shot his childhood friend in the head while admiring their pistol on September 14

A Louisiana man was arrested after admiring a childhood friend's pistol, then accidentally shooting them in the head and killing them.

Christopher Lemley, 30, of New Orleans was arrested by the New Orleans Police Department on Tuesday for negligent homicide.

The fatal incident happened just after midnight on September 14 in the 200 block of Norland Avenue in the Algiers neighborhood, according to NOLA.com.

Earlier that night, Lemley had been drinking alcohol and taken a Percocet pill that he does not have a prescription for.

While with a group of friends inside his home, Lemley reportedly asked to hold a visitor's pistol gun that was loaded.

Witness accounts say that Lemley pulled back the gun's slide and squeezed the trigger at the same time while looking at the weapon.

The incident occurred just after midnight on September 14 in the 200 block of Norland Avenue in the Algiers neighborhood (pictured)

One friend tried to alert Lemley that he had loaded a bullet into the pistol chamber when he tugged the gun's slide back, but the gun had already gone off.

A stray bullet struck his friend in the head. He was taken to University Medical Center New Orleans for treatment by paramedics shortly after. Authorities have not released his identity.

The man died on September 19 and authorities prepared an arrest warrant for Lemley on September 20.

He was taken into police custody on September 24.

The unidentified victim was taken to the University Medical Center New Orleans (pictured) for treatment, but succumbed to his injuries on September 19

NOLA.com reports that Lemley waived his right to remain silent and told officers details about the shooting.

He admits to drinking and taking Percocet, but has no recollection of how the pistol fired in the first place.

Townsend Myers, Lemley's attorney, told NOLA.com the shooting was 'a tragic accident' and Lemley was childhood friends with the victim.

He said: 'They've been friends since they were kids.'

'My client is absolutely distraught.'

Lemley was given a bail of $15,000 and he posted bond for his release.