The man Orange County investigators accused of killing two people at an illegal after-hours club in Pine Hills earlier this year has been indicted for first-degree murder, the Orange-Osceola State Attorney’s Office announced.
Christopher Haynes, 31, is charged with murdering Joslyn Gray, 49, who witnesses and friends said was Haynes’ target. His bullets also killed 56-year-old Errol Irving, who was standing nearby, police say.
Sheriff John Mina has highlighted the incident as an example of the trouble with illegal clubs, saying the business was used “exclusively to host activities after hours” despite being listed as a tax office.
Though the motive for the shooting has not been released, affidavits describing the incident indicated Haynes and Gray had issues. According to court records, Gray was convicted of three counts of battery in 2023 for shooting Haynes in the arm after a fight during a party in Pine Hills.
Gray was released from jail in December. The March 23 shooting happened as both men attended the same birthday party, though it’s not clear from an affidavit whether there was a confrontation before Haynes allegedly fired the shots that killed Gray and Irving.
Haynes was arrested in Nashville in May by the U.S. Marshals Service. The indictment was announced late Thursday. He is in Orange County Jail without bond.
Mina this year successfully pushed Florida lawmakers to pass a bill making it easier to shut down businesses doubling as clubs illegally selling alcohol. According to court records, the owner of the tax office in this incident told deputies they rented out the space for parties and events, requiring appropriate licensing to serve food and drinks and to provide security.
Senate Bill 1090, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April and taking effect next week, makes illegal alcohol sales a felony and gives law enforcement more leeway to close down such businesses.
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