Emily Finn, a vibrant 18-year-old who attended State University of New York at Oneonta, returned home just before Thanksgiving. Her plan was to stop by her former boyfriend’s residence to hand back some of his items.

Tragically, she never left.

According to Suffolk County Police, Finn was fatally shot by her 17-year-old ex-boyfriend, who then turned the gun on himself, inflicting a facial wound, as reported by Newsday. His parents, alarmed by the sound of gunfire, immediately contacted authorities. Upon their arrival, Finn was pronounced dead, while the young man was found critically injured and remains in a stable condition in the hospital.

Austin Lynch, who marked his 18th birthday the following day, faces charges of second-degree murder, as detailed by The New York Post.

Finn was a dedicated dancer with the American Ballet Studio in Bayport, where she was cherished for her talent and empathy, shared the studio’s artistic director, Kathy Kairns-Scholz. This year’s performances of “The Nutcracker” will be dedicated to her memory.

At SUNY, Finn was pursuing a career in education, complemented by her passion for dance, which she minored in.

The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation announced it would sponsor an annual scholarship in her name.