PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – A 61-year-old Florida man has been arrested for allegedly shooting and killing his friend, initially claiming the victim was an intruder.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours of January 28th. A neighbor of John Hainlin called 911, reporting that Hainlin had told him he shot someone inside his home. The neighbor reportedly entered the residence and found an unresponsive male. Hainlin also called 911, claiming he had shot an intruder.
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Officers from the New Port Richey and Port Richey Police Departments responded to the scene and found the victim, identified by family as 74-year-old Ross Coyle, in a recliner chair with a gunshot wound. Coyle was transported to the hospital but was pronounced dead.
Hainlin initially told authorities that he shot a stranger who he believed was breaking into his home. He claimed that he had a friend over earlier but had called an Uber for him to go home because they had been drinking.
However, during an interview with investigators, Hainlin, who appeared to be intoxicated, allegedly provided conflicting information. He stated that his friend had come over, and they had cooked and consumed alcohol together. He claimed that after his friend left via Uber, he went back inside, and later encountered an intruder, whom he shot.
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Investigators executed a search warrant and found no signs of forced entry. They also noted that Hainlin did not have any rideshare applications on his phone.
Based on the evidence, authorities believe that Hainlin’s initial statements were inaccurate and that the victim was actually his close friend who had been visiting that evening.
Hainlin was taken into custody and booked into the Pasco County Jail.
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