Ross Coyle, a 74-year-old man from Port Richey, Florida, was tragically shot and killed in the early morning hours of January 28, 2025. Coyle, a well-known cabinet maker originally from North Collins, New York, had been spending time at his Florida home with his wife, Maria. On the evening of January 27, he visited a friend’s house nearby for dinner, bringing steaks and a bottle of wine.
The night, which seemed to be a normal gathering between friends, took a devastating turn when Coyle was fatally shot inside the residence.
Authorities responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call from 61-year-old John Hainlin, who reported that he had just shot someone inside his home. Initially, Hainlin claimed that he had fired at an intruder, but investigators later determined that the victim was actually his close friend, Ross Coyle. Officers found Coyle in a recliner chair with a gunshot wound. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Hainlin was arrested and charged with second-degree homicide. During questioning, he provided conflicting statements about the events leading up to the shooting. He first claimed that he had a friend over earlier in the evening but had called an Uber for him to leave. Later, he stated that he had encountered an intruder inside his home and fired in self-defense. However, investigators found no signs of forced entry and noted that Hainlin did not have any rideshare applications on his phone. Based on the evidence, authorities concluded that Coyle had been visiting Hainlin that evening and was not an intruder.
Coyle’s family, including his three children, struggled to comprehend the tragedy. His daughter, Rachel Brooks, described him as an exceptional man who was deeply devoted to his wife and faith. His children have since started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical bills, transportation, and moving costs for their mother, who suffers from stage 4 COPD and relies on oxygen 24/7. The family is now focused on relocating her to Western New York, where she can receive proper care.
Loved ones gathered to pay their respects to Coyle in North Collins, New York, with visitation and funeral services held at Wentland Funeral Home and First Congregational Church. His legacy as a kind-hearted, hardworking, and deeply faithful man lives on in the memories of those who knew him.
