Greater Long Island coverage is funded in part by Toresco & Simonelli, a boutique injury and family law firm in West Islip. They fight for their clients. Click here to get in touch.
Emily Finn “should still be alive and back at college,” Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said Friday, announcing the indictment of 18-year-old Austin Lynch for second-degree murder in the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend.
Lynch, who had been a Marine poolee preparing for boot camp, allegedly shot Finn, 18, of West Sayville in the back of her head as she headed out to leave his home in Nesconset — car keys in hand — on Nov. 26, Tierney said.
Home for Thanksgiving break, Finn had gone to the Shenandoah Boulevard North house to have a face-to-face conversation and return some of Lynch’s belonging following their recent split.
As she prepared to leave, Tierney detailed, Lynch allegedly shot her from behind at point-blank range before turning the gun on himself, severely injuring his face.
“This is a tragic case,” Tierney said. “Emily Finn should still be alive and back at college. Instead, the defendant allegedly robbed her of that experience and her future.”
When paramedics and law enforcement arrived at the scene, Finn was found dead with her car keys still in her hand, her purse beside her body and her coat on, Tierney said.
Lynch pleaded not guilty to the second-degree murder charge at his arraignment Thursday before acting Suffolk Supreme Court Justice Philip Goglas, who ordered the defendant remanded without bail.
The teen faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted. He is due back in court on Dec. 8.
Relationship history and alleged harassment
Lynch and Finn were both 14 when they started dating.
This fall, Finn began her freshman year at SUNY Oneonta, studying early childhood education. Meanwhile, Lynch remained on Long Island, planning to begin boot camp for the Marines in February.
Lynch in recent months had been training with fellow poolees (enlistees who have not yet shipped out to boot camp) out the U.S. Marines recruiting station in Smithtown. On Oct. 25, he ran in the Smithtown Running of the Bull 5K with a U.S. Marines team of runners.
Two weeks before Thanksgiving, Finn broke up with Lynch and he allegedly became obsessive, calling and texting her nonstop, prosecutors said. When she ignored his calls and ultimately blocked his number, Lynch allegedly called her from a family member’s phone and barraged her on social media.
Witnesses alleged that Lynch was upset and angry, voicing multiple times a desire to kill himself, Tierney said.
It was about 9:50 a.m. on Nov. 26 when Finn arrived at the Lynch family home, authorities said.
After hearing the gunshots, Tierney said, Lynch’s parents rushed into the house from the backyard. The defendant’s father called 911, allegedly reporting that his son had shot his girlfriend and himself.
Lynch was found bleeding heavily from his face and was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital, where he was treated for facial fractures and a cranial leak, among other injuries. This week, he was medically cleared to be in court.
Community remembers Emily
Finn, a 2025 graduate of Sayville High School, was remembered as a passionate dancer and aspiring teacher who touched countless lives through her generosity and kindness.
The American Ballet Studio in Bayport, where Finn spent six years as both a student and teacher, has honored her memory by lining the studio with pink ribbons, establishing a scholarship in her name, and dedicating this year’s “Nutcracker” performance to her.
Services for Finn were held on Sunday and Monday, with her family requesting that attendees wear a splash of pink in honor of her favorite color.
A GoFundMe campaign established to support Finn’s family has raised $96,000 from more than 1,500 donations. The Uvalde Foundation for Kids announced it is planting a memorial tree in Emily’s memory at the Finger Lakes National Forest as part of its Trees for Peace Youth Gun Violence Memorial program.
Top photos: Austin Lynch and Emily Finn dated for over three years (Instagram / @emily_finn1015).
