PHOTOS: Austin Lynch, Nesconset Teen, Shot and Killed Ex-Girlfriend Emily Finn in Botched Murder-Suicide After ‘Puppy Love’ Breakup

A 17-year-old Long Island teen, Austin Lynch of Nesconset, allegedly shot and killed his ex-girlfriend, 18-year-old Emily Finn of West Sayville, in a botched murder-suicide after she ended their relationship, according to reports.

Lynch, who is expected to be charged as an adult, was described as heartbroken and unable to cope with the breakup. A family friend told the New York Post that the teen had been deeply upset over the end of their “puppy love” romance.

“It was young puppy love that stopped making sense. It wasn’t going to work. Most of these young relationships don’t,” the friend said, adding, “People are in the comments saying she must’ve done something to him. No, she didn’t.”

According to Suffolk County Police, Finn had gone to Lynch’s home on Wednesday to return some of his belongings when he allegedly shot and killed her. Lynch then reportedly turned the gun on himself in an attempt to take his own life but survived after shooting himself in the face. He was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital; his current condition has not been released.

The pics were taken months before their breakup.

The pics were taken months before their breakup.

He allegedly gunned down Finn inside his Nesconset family home around 11:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Suffolk County Police said, according to Greater Long Island.

Finn is now in the hospital recovering from his injuries, though the extent of those injuries has not yet been disclosed.

According to the friend, who has known the suspect for most of his life, the heartbreak of young love ending was too much for Lynch to endure.
“The frontal lobe is still undeveloped and not equipped to handle and process these emotions,” the friend explained. “I went through breakups when I was younger and they’re awful, but I never contemplated doing anything like this.”

The friend added that Lynch’s emotional immaturity appears to have driven the situation to a tragic and irreversible outcome.
“That’s ultimately what this was — the inability of a young kid to process this. It feels like the world is coming to an end.”
They continued, “Emily is dead. Her family is destroyed. These people lost their lives in an instant.”

Finn graduated from Sayville High School in June and had just begun her freshman year at SUNY Oneonta, where she was studying Childhood/Elementary Education with a minor in Dance. Her social media reflected excitement about her new path.

Emily, who had her entire future ahead of her, was known for her kindness, ambition, and bright spirit — a life cut short by a teen unable to cope with the end of a relationship.

The suspect turns 18 in the coming days, Newsday reported. Authorities confirmed that Austin Lynch will be charged as an adult with second-degree murder and arraigned when his medical condition permits.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the Finn family as they face unimaginable loss.