Bliss N EsoThe death of an actor and stuntman in a Bliss N Eso music video was reportedly caused by “recklessness”.
As ABC reports, Johann Ofner’s fatal shooting at Brisbane’s Brooklyn Standard Bar in 2017 during the filming of Friend Like You was due to the armourer, Warren Ritchie, supplying an illegal weapon and ammunition.
A coroner has stated that Ritchie – who has since passed away – was required to provide ‘blank fire or permanently inoperable’ weapons as per Queensland law but did not.
“The critical lesson from this tragedy is that Mr Ofner died as a result of criminal actions. His death was avoidable,” Coroner Donald MacKenzie said.
“Clearly, the shortened shotgun which was fired killing the deceased was neither.”
MacKenzie added: “At the time of this music video production, Mr Ritchie was suffering from a terminal illness and was taking prescribed opioid medication.
“There is an inference to be drawn that he was unwell at the time of this death. On 5 August 2017, Mr Ritchie died of natural causes. Nevertheless, had Mr Ritchie survived, it is clear that he would have faced the prospect of a Manslaughter.”
At the time of the incident, Bliss N Eso stated: “The three of us are extremely upset and shaken up by this and our hearts and prayers go out to the victim's family and friends as well as the cast and crew who were involved in the clip today.”
They were not on set at the time of Ofner’s death.
