Florida man ‘shot dead by cousin while testing if bulletproof vest worked’

A man has been shot dead by his cousin while testing whether a bulletproof vest still worked, police say.

Joaquin Mendez died on Saturday night in Tampa Bay, Florida, after asking whether the protective garment was still functional, it is claimed.

The Tampa Bay Times reported his cousin Alexandro Garibaldi pulled out a gun and said "let's see."

He then allegedly blasted the 23-year-old with the weapon.

Police say they found Mr Mendez outside with a gunshot wound to the chest and a bullet hole in his vest.

He died later in hospital, the paper reported.

Garibaldi, 24, told police he was outside at the time of the shooting but has since been charged with manslaughter.

He was also charged with possession of a firearm