Greenlawn man indicted for attempted murder; accused of paralyzing woman, fleeing from police
Law enforcement officers reportedly chased him across the grounds of an elementary school in New Rochelle while students were participating in a Field Day event before taking him into custody.
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A Greenlawn man has been indicted on attempted murder charges in connection with the near-fatal shooting of the mother of his children, Suffolk County prosecutors announced Tuesday.
Eric Whilby, 37, was living with his ex-girlfriend, their two children — ages 9 and 11 — and the woman's mother, brother and sister on June 4.
Whilby allegedly became angry because the woman did not come directly home from work.
As the woman drove along Leigh Street in Greenlawn on her way to meet her sister at a nearby park, prosecutors say Whilby ran up to her vehicle and fired a close range shot through the window.
The bullet struck the woman in the left shoulder and traveled into her spinal cord, causing life-threatening injuries and ultimately paralyzing the woman.
Prosecutors said the woman's sister was speaking with her on the phone at the time and heard her scream and the gunshot. The sister and a friend, who were nearby, allegedly saw Whilby flee the scene in a vehicle.
The victim was rushed to a hospital, where prosecutors say she is still recovering.
Authorities say Whilby was later spotted by New York State Police driving in Westchester County. He allegedly led officers on a pursuit along Interstate 95 before crashing into a ditch. Prosecutors said he then abandoned the vehicle and ran away.
Law enforcement officers reportedly chased him across the grounds of an elementary school in New Rochelle while students were participating in a Field Day event before taking him into custody.
A firearm believed to have been used in the shooting was later recovered from a wooded area near the school, according to prosecutors.
Whilby was arraigned Monday on attempted murder, assault and criminal possession of a weapon charges.
If convicted of the top charge, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
