Florida man accused of shooting, killing friend at home after night of drinking

PORT RICHEY, Fla. - A man faces a murder charge after Pasco County deputies say he shot and killed his friend while drunk, then told investigators the victim was an intruder.

Murder investigation

The backstory:

According to an arrest affidavit from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, investigators responded to a home off Grand Blvd. in Port Richey shortly after midnight on Jan. 28.

Deputies said John Hainlin, 61, called 911 and told dispatchers he had shot someone who broke into his house. He also went to a neighbor's house and made similar comments, investigators said.

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The victim, who family members identified to WIVB-TV in Buffalo, New York, as Ross Coyle, 74, was found in a recliner suffering from gunshot wounds and died at the hospital, PCSO said.

Detectives said Hainlin had "slurred speech, red bloodshot glassy eyes and the odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from his breath" when they questioned him about the shooting.

Mugshot of John Hainlin. Courtesy: Pasco County Jail.

According to the affidavit, Hainlin told investigators he had a friend over for dinner and drinks on the evening of Jan. 27, but claimed he helped his friend get a ride home prior to the shooting.

Hainlin reportedly told deputies that minutes after his friend left, he found a stranger in his living room and confronted him before grabbing his Taurus Judge revolver and opening fire.

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PCSO said a search of Hainlin's home showed no sign of anyone breaking in, while a search of his phone showed no attempt to arrange for a ride for his friend.

Investigators also reviewed surveillance video from a nearby home and found that no one had left Hainlin's house in the minutes leading to the shooting, indicating that Hainlin had killed his friend.

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What's next:

Court records show Hainlin is being held in the Pasco County Jail without bond on a charge of murder without premeditation.

The Source: This story was written using information provided by the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Pasco County court records and WIVB-TV in Buffalo, New York.

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