Josh Taylor, 19, is fighting for his life after a game of Russian roulette. Source: Channel 9

The 19-year-old was sitting in a Commodore with his mates outside the IGA supermarket in Pitt Town in Sydney’s northwest on Friday night when he shot himself.

“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 Westmead Hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

Det Insp Sims said Mr Taylor’s family were devastated.

Taylor was rushed to Westmead Hospital on Friday night. Source: Channel 9

“He has a very concerned mother and equally concerned sister who are dealing with the whole issue,” he said on Monday.

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.”

‘Just hang on and fight’ mum urges. Source: Channel 9

Taylor was just 19 years old. Source: Channel 9

“The situation hasn’t been helped by irresponsible comments made on social media,” he said.

The comments speculate about what happened to Mr Taylor and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

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.

The teenager uploaded this photo of a gun to his Facebook page in November last year. Source: Channel 9