Allegedly Shot Mother of His Children, Paralyzing Her
A Greenlawn man was indicted for attempted murder for allegedly shooting the mother of his children at close range, paralyzing her.
On June 4, Eric Whilby and the victim were living together with their children, ages nine and eleven, as well as the victim’s mother, brother, and sister. Just before 1:00 a.m., the victim returned home and allegedly learned that Whilby was upset that she did not come home right after work. As the victim began driving toward a nearby park to meet up with her sister, Whilby allegedly ran up to the victim’s vehicle and shot her through the window at close range. The bullet entered the victim’s left shoulder, traveling into her spinal cord.
The victim’s sister, who was on the phone with the victim at the time, allegedly heard the victim scream and the gunshot. The sister and her friend, who were close by, allegedly witnessed Whilby drive away from the scene in his 2017 white Honda CR-V. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she is recovering from her injuries.
Whilby allegedly fled Suffolk County but was later spotted by New York State Police while he was driving in Westchester County. Whilby allegedly led the New York State Police on a pursuit before jumping out of his vehicle and fleeing on foot. Law enforcement allegedly chased Whilby across an elementary school field in New Rochelle, while the school’s Field Day was underway. Law enforcement recovered the gun allegedly used by Whilby in the shooting from a wooded area near the school.
On July 13, Whilby, 37, was arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the Second Degree, both Class B violent felonies, and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, a Class C violent felony.
“The defendant allegedly shot the victim, who is now recovering from very serious, life-altering injuries,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney. “I thank all of the law enforcement agencies that assisted in apprehending this defendant and bringing him to justice. This is a sobering incident of alleged domestic violence, and my office will handle it with the seriousness that it deserves.”
Pilewski ordered Whilby remanded during the pendency of the case. Whilby is due back in court on August 5 and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top count.