Florida man shot dead after asking if bulletproof vest still worked

A Florida man has been shot dead after inviting his cousin to check whether his bulletproof vest still worked.

Joaquin Mendez, 23, put on the body armour and "wondered aloud whether it still worked", according to a Tampa Police report.

"Let's see," apparently responded his cousin Alexandro Garibaldi, 24, as he pulled out a gun.

Mr Mendez was found outside his house with a gunshot wound to the chest, and died while being treated in hospital.

His cousin initially claimed that he had found Mr Mendez shot, but a witness later reported he had seen Mr Garibaldi pulling the trigger.

The vest was also found inside the house with a gunshot, police said.

Mr Garibaldi was arrested on a manslaughter charge and is currently being held by police.