Sydney teen Josh Taylor held a loaded revolver to his head and pulled the trigger in a game of Russian roulette.
His friends were around him as the gun's single bullet was fired.
Now the 19-year-old is clinging to life in Westmead Hospital while his family hold bedside vigil.
Police have been told Mr Taylor was sitting in a car with his mates outside the IGA Supermarket in Pitt Town in Sydney's northwest on Friday night when he played the dangerous game.
"We are aware a 19-year-old male received a serious gunshot wound to the head after reports he was involved playing Russian roulette with a loaded revolver," Detective Inspector Garry Sims told AAP.
The Smith & Wesson firearm discharged in the side of Mr Taylor's head above his ear.
He was rushed to hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition.
Det Insp Sims said Mr Taylor's family were devastated.
"He has a very concerned mother and equally concerned sister who are dealing with the whole issue," he said on Monday.
"They are very concerned about his welfare and his future.
"The situation hasn't been helped by irresponsible comments made on social media."
The comments speculate about what happened to Mr Taylor and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Mr Taylor's mother posted on Facebook at the weekend: "Come on son ... please please fight like you always have ... no words can explain how desperate we are for you to just hang on and fight."
There was no evidence that anyone else in the car was involved in the game apart from Mr Taylor, Det Insp Sims said.
The gun is being forensically examined.
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