Topline: Friends say the ma was asked to stop pointing the loaded weapon before it fired.
Published: June 5, 2025 9:00 am ET
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Elliot Hines (via Marion County Jail)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A man has been charged with reckless homicide after police say he accidentally shot and killed a woman while mishandling a handgun.
According to WXIN, Elliot Hines was formally charged Monday with reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony, as well as three counts of pointing a firearm, which are classified as Level 6 felonies.
Police say Hines explained he had placed his handgun on a clothes dryer when it “misfired,” striking the woman in the head on May 30.
Multiple witnesses confirmed that before the shooting, Hines had been “playing with” a black Taurus handgun and even pointed it at several people in the group—despite being asked to stop, WXIN reproted.
Court documents indicate one witness reported the firearm was loaded and said Hines had even “cocked” the weapon at one point. The shooting occurred as the group was preparing to check on the dogs in the home, and Hines claimed he “must have hit the trigger” when setting the gun down.
Responding officers found Hines visibly distraught and covered in blood. Court records indicate that he was nearly hysterical and made multiple spontaneous statements, including, “Oh my god, I can’t believe I just killed someone by accident.”
Hines also allegedly said. “I’m sorry…. can someone wipe my hands, her blood is all over my hands… I just set it down and it just f***ing shot bro, it went straight in her f***ing face…. I f***ing killed her, Oh my God…. I’m so sorry.”
Police say Hines initially talked about fleeing the scene, reportedly saying, “No, I’m gonna run, I’m gonna run,” but was ultimately persuaded by a witness to remain, disassemble the firearm, place it on a nearby Jeep, and wait for law enforcement to arrive.
Witnesses and Hines both told officers that he had not been drinking prior to the incident, and only began drinking after the shooting took place.
Officers noted that Hines vomited several times at the scene and appeared fixated on the blood on his hands. While in custody, he repeatedly asked to clean his hands, but police informed him they needed to photograph the evidence first. A medic was later brought to the interview room when Hines reported suffering a severe panic attack and said he had “killed his best friend,” according to police.
If convicted, Hines faces a maximum sentence of six years for the Level 5 felony.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Witnesses Say Man Was ‘Playing With’ Gun Before Accidentally Shooting Best Friend
Friends say the ma was asked to stop pointing the loaded weapon before it fired.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 5, 2025 9:00 am ET
Elliot Hines (via Marion County Jail)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A man has been charged with reckless homicide after police say he accidentally shot and killed a woman while mishandling a handgun.
According to WXIN, Elliot Hines was formally charged Monday with reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony, as well as three counts of pointing a firearm, which are classified as Level 6 felonies.
Police say Hines explained he had placed his handgun on a clothes dryer when it “misfired,” striking the woman in the head on May 30.
Multiple witnesses confirmed that before the shooting, Hines had been “playing with” a black Taurus handgun and even pointed it at several people in the group—despite being asked to stop, WXIN reproted.
Court documents indicate one witness reported the firearm was loaded and said Hines had even “cocked” the weapon at one point. The shooting occurred as the group was preparing to check on the dogs in the home, and Hines claimed he “must have hit the trigger” when setting the gun down.
Responding officers found Hines visibly distraught and covered in blood. Court records indicate that he was nearly hysterical and made multiple spontaneous statements, including, “Oh my god, I can’t believe I just killed someone by accident.”
Hines also allegedly said. “I’m sorry…. can someone wipe my hands, her blood is all over my hands… I just set it down and it just f***ing shot bro, it went straight in her f***ing face…. I f***ing killed her, Oh my God…. I’m so sorry.”
Police say Hines initially talked about fleeing the scene, reportedly saying, “No, I’m gonna run, I’m gonna run,” but was ultimately persuaded by a witness to remain, disassemble the firearm, place it on a nearby Jeep, and wait for law enforcement to arrive.
Witnesses and Hines both told officers that he had not been drinking prior to the incident, and only began drinking after the shooting took place.
Officers noted that Hines vomited several times at the scene and appeared fixated on the blood on his hands. While in custody, he repeatedly asked to clean his hands, but police informed him they needed to photograph the evidence first. A medic was later brought to the interview room when Hines reported suffering a severe panic attack and said he had “killed his best friend,” according to police.
If convicted, Hines faces a maximum sentence of six years for the Level 5 felony.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Witnesses Say Man Was ‘Playing With’ Gun Before Accidentally Shooting Best Friend
Friends say the ma was asked to stop pointing the loaded weapon before it fired.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 5, 2025 9:00 am ET
Elliot Hines (via Marion County Jail)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — A man has been charged with reckless homicide after police say he accidentally shot and killed a woman while mishandling a handgun.
According to WXIN, Elliot Hines was formally charged Monday with reckless homicide, a Level 5 felony, as well as three counts of pointing a firearm, which are classified as Level 6 felonies.
Police say Hines explained he had placed his handgun on a clothes dryer when it “misfired,” striking the woman in the head on May 30.
Multiple witnesses confirmed that before the shooting, Hines had been “playing with” a black Taurus handgun and even pointed it at several people in the group—despite being asked to stop, WXIN reproted.
Court documents indicate one witness reported the firearm was loaded and said Hines had even “cocked” the weapon at one point. The shooting occurred as the group was preparing to check on the dogs in the home, and Hines claimed he “must have hit the trigger” when setting the gun down.
Responding officers found Hines visibly distraught and covered in blood. Court records indicate that he was nearly hysterical and made multiple spontaneous statements, including, “Oh my god, I can’t believe I just killed someone by accident.”
Hines also allegedly said. “I’m sorry…. can someone wipe my hands, her blood is all over my hands… I just set it down and it just f***ing shot bro, it went straight in her f***ing face…. I f***ing killed her, Oh my God…. I’m so sorry.”
Police say Hines initially talked about fleeing the scene, reportedly saying, “No, I’m gonna run, I’m gonna run,” but was ultimately persuaded by a witness to remain, disassemble the firearm, place it on a nearby Jeep, and wait for law enforcement to arrive.
Witnesses and Hines both told officers that he had not been drinking prior to the incident, and only began drinking after the shooting took place.
Officers noted that Hines vomited several times at the scene and appeared fixated on the blood on his hands. While in custody, he repeatedly asked to clean his hands, but police informed him they needed to photograph the evidence first. A medic was later brought to the interview room when Hines reported suffering a severe panic attack and said he had “killed his best friend,” according to police.
If convicted, Hines faces a maximum sentence of six years for the Level 5 felony.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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