An Indiana man who allegedly pointed his gun at his friends during a casual hangout is now in jail after shooting and killing one of them, police say.
Elliot Hines, 23, was charged with reckless homicide and three felony counts of pointing a firearm in connection with Saturday’s fatal shooting of his “best friend.”
According to court documents obtained by local Fox affiliate WXIN, witnesses who spent the evening with Hines claimed he was “playing with” a loaded handgun and repeatedly pointed it at them. Witnesses reportedly told police that they asked Hines to stop.
The night took a tragic turn, police said, when Hines set his gun down on a dryer and it apparently “misfired,” sending a bullet into the head of a woman he referred to as his “best friend.”
The police were called to the Indianapolis home, where they reported finding Hines in a hysterical state with his hands covered in blood. Police said Hines confessed to the shooting without being prompted, saying, “Oh my god, I can’t believe I just killed someone by accident.”
Hines also stated, “I’m sorry…” Please wipe my hands, as her blood is all over them. I set it down and it shot straight into her face. I f—ing killed her. Oh my God. I’m very sorry.” While at the scene, he reportedly said, “I loved that girl, and I would never want to hurt her.”
According to court documents, Hines allegedly asked, “How does that even happen, officer?” I put down my firearm, and it f—ing shot.”
According to police, Hines vomited multiple times at the scene. Witnesses claim he did not start drinking until after the alleged shooting, implying he was not drinking while playing with the gun earlier.
They also told police that they had persuaded Hines to disassemble his gun and leave it on a nearby Jeep. When Hines allegedly threatened to flee the scene, witnesses said police persuaded him to stay, which he did.
While in custody, Hines allegedly told officers that he was having a panic attack because he had “kill[ed] his best friend.” According to court documents, he told officers that “his finger must have hit the trigger” when he “set his gun down on the dryer.”
Hines was also reportedly obsessed with the fact that his hands were covered in his friend’s blood, telling police that he would “freak the f— out” if he wasn’t allowed to wash his hands. Police were photographing his hands as evidence.
Hines was booked into the Marion County Jail after midnight on Sunday and remains there without bond. His next court date is July 14, with a jury trial scheduled for July 22.
