A Greenlawn man has been indicted on attempted murder and other charges after allegedly shooting the mother of his children at close range, leaving her paralyzed, Suffolk County prosecutors said.
Eric Whilby, 37, was arraigned July 13 on charges of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
The alleged shooting happened shortly before 1 a.m. on June 4.
Prosecutors said Whilby and the victim were living together with their children, ages 9 and 11, along with the victim’s mother, brother and sister.
The victim returned home and allegedly learned Whilby was upset that she had not come home immediately after work, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.
As the woman began driving toward a nearby park to meet her sister, Whilby allegedly ran up to her vehicle and fired through the window at close range.
The bullet entered the woman’s left shoulder and traveled into her spinal cord, prosecutors said. She was taken to a local hospital and is recovering from what District Attorney Ray Tierney described as serious, life-altering injuries.
The victim’s sister was speaking with her on the phone and allegedly heard her scream and the gunshot. The sister and a friend, who were nearby, allegedly saw Whilby drive away in a white 2017 Honda CR-V.
Whilby allegedly fled Suffolk County and was later spotted driving in Westchester County by New York State Police.
Prosecutors said Whilby led troopers on a pursuit before leaving his vehicle and running away on foot. Officers allegedly chased him across the grounds of an elementary school in New Rochelle while the school’s Field Day was underway.
Law enforcement recovered the gun allegedly used in the shooting from a wooded area near the school, according to prosecutors.
Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven Pilewski ordered Whilby held without release while the case is pending.
Whilby is scheduled to return to court Aug. 5. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted of the top charge.
The charges are accusations. Whilby is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
