18-Year-Old Emily Finn Shot Dead by 17-Year-Old Ex-Boyfriend Austin Lynch in Murder-Suicide Attempt

The death of 18-year-old ballerina Emily Finn has sent waves of grief through Long Island, where an entire community is struggling to process the loss of a young woman described as joyful, disciplined, compassionate, and filled with promise. Finn, home from SUNY Oneonta for the holiday break, was fatally shot on Wednesday during what should have been a brief, routine exchange with her ex-boyfriend at his Nesconset residence.

Police say the 17-year-old shooter, Austin Lynch, fired two rounds from a legally owned shotgun before turning the weapon on himself in an attempted suicide. He survived the self-inflicted injury and now faces a second-degree murder charge. As authorities continue their investigation, vigils, tributes, and deeply emotional messages have emerged across Suffolk County, reflecting the magnitude of the loss felt by her family, peers, and former instructors.

A Community Confronts an Unthinkable Loss

Emily Finn’s death has created a visible and palpable mourning across towns including Sayville and Bayport, where the young dancer spent years training and performing. Local residents have tied ribbons to trees, organized candlelit vigils, and filled community spaces with handwritten tributes. For many, the incident has struck a uniquely painful chord: an act of violence that ended the life of a young woman known for her warmth, leadership, and generosity.

At the American Ballet Studio in Bayport, where Emily Finn trained for more than four years, students and instructors have been especially shaken. Artistic director Kathy Kairns-Scholz described Finn as a model student with rare talent, unwavering dedication, and a personality that endeared her to everyone.

The studio, often a place filled with laughter, music, and the sounds of rehearsals, has quieted in recent days as its members absorb the tragedy. Students have begun decorating the space with pink ribbons in Emily Finn’s honor—pink being the color often associated with both ballet and remembrance of young lives lost too soon.

The community sentiment has been echoed by Emily Finn’s high school peers from Sayville High School, where she graduated just months ago. Those who knew her say her positivity was a defining trait, and that she carried herself with a maturity and kindness unusual for her age. As one friend wrote online, “Nothing will be the same without you.” This collective grief reflects not only the shock of a violent death but also the emptiness felt when a future once brimming with potential is suddenly gone.

Promising Life and Passion for Dance

Emily Finn’s journey in ballet began early and quickly blossomed into more than a hobby. At the American Ballet Studio, she took classes four or more days a week, performing in multiple productions of The Nutcracker and stepping into leadership roles as she matured. Her instructors recall that she had a rare gift not only for performing but also for mentoring younger students.

She served as the studio’s fundraising president and often volunteered her time to help children during rehearsals and events. Her leadership style was described as intuitive and natural—firm yet gentle, with an ability to inspire trust and admiration. Kairns-Scholz emphasized Emily Finn’s technical abilities, noting that she learned choreography quickly and retained complex sequences with ease.

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More importantly, she brought a joy to the studio that resonated with dancers of all ages. Her performances were marked by grace and precision, but it was her expression of emotion and connection to the audience that many found most memorable. These qualities contributed to her reputation not only as a talented dancer but also as someone who would have made an exceptional dance teacher had she chosen that path.

REMEMBERING EMILY FINN: A West Sayville teen who police say was fatally shot by her ex-boyfriend in Nesconset last week is being remembered by the ballet studio where she used to dance. https://t.co/rVrF2mfMDQ#News12LI #Crime pic.twitter.com/LDXFparqZz

— News12LI (@News12LI) November 29, 2025

Emily Finn’s post–high school plans reflected her desire to work with children. After completing BOCES classes in high school, she enrolled at SUNY Oneonta to study early education. Those close to her say she was excited about her new academic chapter and optimistic about building a future centered on teaching and helping others. She had visited her old studio just two weeks before her death, radiating the same enthusiasm and kindness she was known for. Her instructors noted that she seemed genuinely happy, settled, and eager to continue growing.

Her death has now prompted the studio to dedicate this year’s Nutcracker production to her memory, with long-term plans to establish a scholarship in her name. The scholarship, still in its early planning stages, would honor Emily Finn’s commitment to dance, her leadership within the studio, and her enduring influence on younger dancers. In addition to these tributes, several holiday events—including the Sayville Holiday Parade and the Miracle on Main tree lighting—were canceled out of respect for her memory and to allow space for collective mourning.

A Tragic Chain of Events and an Ongoing Investigation

According to police, Emily Finn visited Lynch’s home simply to return belongings following their recent breakup. What should have been a brief interaction instead escalated into a fatal act of violence. The weapon, a legally owned shotgun, was reportedly fired twice, striking Finn and killing her at the scene. Moments later, Lynch turned the gun on himself, surviving the injury but sustaining severe facial trauma. He remained in critical but stable condition as of Friday. Suffolk County authorities have stated that they expect him to be charged with second-degree murder.

The case now falls under New York’s Raise the Age statute, meaning the court will determine whether Lynch—17 at the time of the shooting but turning 18 the next day—will be tried as an adult. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office has confirmed that the decision will hinge on judicial evaluation rather than automatic transfer to adult court. While legal proceedings move forward, many in Emily Finn’s community have expressed a desire to stay focused on honoring her rather than reliving the details of the crime.

Friends have posted photos and memories online, including images of Emily Finn performing on stage and smiling at school events. Some shared photos of her with Lynch at prom, dressed in a magenta gown, now viewed through the haunting filter of hindsight. The New York Post noted that these images have circulated widely, accompanied by messages from devastated classmates and acquaintances who remembered her energy, humor, and generosity.

One tribute on social media read: “This was such a sudden tragedy and I hope justice will be served for you and your family.” Another described her as a “bright light” whose absence will be felt in every corner of the community. The Sayville Alumni Association released a public statement saying her death “leaves an indelible void where a future of promise once stood.” This sentiment was echoed in their acknowledgement of a “senseless and unimaginable tragedy,” with their members uniting in grief and heartbreak.

A GoFundMe campaign created to support her family surpassed $75,000 by Saturday morning. The page describes Emily Finn as intricately woven into the lives of everyone around her. It highlights her connection to her family members—her mother, father, brother, relatives—and her many friends. The rapid response to the fundraising effort underscores how widely she was admired and how deeply her loss is being felt.

As grief counselors prepare to meet with students and community members, the broader Long Island region continues to reflect on Emily Finn’s life and legacy. For many, she represents not only a talented dancer and aspiring educator but also a reminder of the fragility of young lives and the profound impact violence can have on families and communities. The upcoming days will be marked by remembrance events, private mourning, and efforts to support those closest to her.

Those who knew Emily Finn say she left behind a legacy of dedication, kindness, leadership, and grace. Her instructors, peers, and community members vow to carry forward her memory through performances, scholarships, and the everyday kindness she exemplified. Finn’s tragic death has left a void, but her influence—felt through the lives she touched, the students she mentored, and the community she lifted—continues to resonate across Long Island.