A firearm was born from the ingenuity of mankind, developed as tools of war, providing the welders with the means to defend their territories, conquer new lands, and protect their comrades.
From the ancient matchlocks to the modern assault rifles, these weapons have shaped the course of countless battles and conflicts throughout history.
Beyond the battlefield, firearms also found their place in the hands of hunters, and have also become essential tools for law enforcement and self-defense.
The Desert Eagle is a gas-operated, semi-automatic pistol, a true icon in the world of firearms.
Known for chambering the .50 Action Express, it's the largest centerfire cartridge of any magazine-fed, self-loading pistol. In other words, the gun has a high firepower.
And there is nothing a book can do about it.
In an attempt to go viral and become famous, some youngsters can do just about anything.
Including being shot at.
Monalisa Perez was asked by Pedro Ruiz, her boyfriend, to fire a Desert Eagle to a book he was going to hold in front of his chest.
Pedro believed that a thick hardcover encyclopedia would shield him from .50 caliber bullet fired from just 30 centimeters away.
Monalisa refused, and was too scared of the idea.
But Pedro, who calls himself "the crazy Pedro," managed to convince her to do it.
He was so sure about it, because he said he had previously experimented on it.
"The most trustworthy person that I trust in this world is my girlfriend, Monalisa," he said in the video.
"So if I die, I’m pretty much ready to go to heaven right now."
"I can’t do it, babe. I’m so scared," Monalisa said.
Ruiz then told her, that, "As long as you hit the book, you’ll be fine. Come on."
"Babe, I’m not doing this, I can’t," she then again responded.
"Come on," Pedro replied.
"Babe, if I kill you what’s gonna happen to my life. Like no this isn’t okay," she said.
"I don’t want to be responsible."
But Pedro who clearly managed to convince Monalisa to shoot him, really made her shoot him.
Prior to the incident, Monalisa had bragged about the stunt on her Twitter account.
"Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever. HIS idea not MINE," she wrote.
Me and Pedro are probably going to shoot one of the most dangerous videos ever HIS idea not MINE
— Monalisa Perez (@MonalisaPerez5) June 26, 2017
Then, the moment of truth.
At their home in Halstad, Minnesota, witnessed by the couple's three-year-old child, Aaliyah, and nearly 30 onlookers, Monalisa pulled the trigger, and shot the Desert Eagle to the book, just like what she was told to do.
Monalisa didn't miss her target, and it was almost a bullseye.
But the book was no match for the mighty .50 bullet. The immense energy expelled from the gunpowder to the bullet, made it to penetrate the book, as it it was nothing.
Pedro collapsed as soon as the bullet hit him.
Everything was captured on two cameras that had been set up to record the stunt.
Seeing Pedro wounded, Monalisa called 911 to report she had accidentally shot her boyfriend.
But unfortunately, Pedro was pronounced dead at the scene at their home.
According to reports, Monalisa was pregnant with their second child at the time of the shooting.
She told police the stunt had been Pedro's idea, and that he had to convince her to do it
Monalisa later pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter.
In a deal with prosecutors, she agreed to serve three months in jail in one-month increments over three years, and then serve the other three months under house arrest.
She was also subjected to 10 years of probation and a lifetime ban from possessing firearms.
Minnesota Judge Jeffrey Remick set out the terms agreed under plea bargaining, but the sentence given to her is below state guidelines.
Norman County Attorney James Brue said "the reality [is] that this foolish stunt was dreamed up, planned and executed by Pedro Ruiz, and the defendant wrongfully and tragically relied on his assurances that the stunt was safe".
Before the incident, both Pedro and Monalisa had been documenting their everyday lives in Halstad, Minnesota, by posting videos of their pranks to a YouTube channel, La MonaLisa, in a quest for internet fame.
They had filmed some minor pranks, which were relatively harmless.
Among the pranks, include hiding hot chili in each other's sandwiches and putting baby powder as icing sugar on a doughnut.
In the About section, they describe their channel as "real life of a young couple who happen to be teen parents".
Pedro was an adrenaline-junkie, who posted videos of himself chasing storms on Facebook.
For a living, he worked as a railroad worker, and lived with foster parents before graduating high school, according to a published obituary.
Pedro and Monalisa were a happy couple, before the incident ended everything they had dreamed of.
The Desert Eagle, manufactured by Magnum Research, was initially designed for two primary purposes: sport shooting and hunting.
In terms of sport shooting, it's a favorite because of the stopping power it offers. With its hefty build and potent rounds, it's often used in various shooting competitions where power is key.
Desert Eagle is also popular for hunting, particularly big game hunting, again due to its substantial caliber options, which can pack quite the punch. It's been known to take down some formidable game, making it a preferred choice for hunters seeking a reliable sidearm.
Due to its size, power and its substantial recoil, the Desert Eagle has an undeniable cool factor, and this fact makes it a gun that is often featured in video games.
It's also a favorite among collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Pedro Ruiz was a 22-year-old aspiring YouTube personality, whereas Monalisa was still 20.