Suvechha Sarkar
Eric Jerone Gary had always been a hardworking person who did his best to improve his life. However, the 50-year-old was found dead in July 2024 when he was brutally shot in his home in New Orleans, Louisiana. The episode titled ‘The Rookie’ of Netflix’s ‘Homicide Squad: New Orleans’ focuses on the circumstances surrounding the murder and the investigation that led officials to the alleged killer. The episode also features an interview with the detective on the case, who worked extensively to gather evidence and track the suspect through CCTV footage.
Eric Gary Was at His Residence When He Died From Gunshot Wounds
On October 31, 1973, Eric Jerone Gary arrived in the world as a ray of sunshine in Chicago, Illinois. From his childhood, Rosa Gary and Robert Thompson always made sure to shower their son with immeasurable support and affection. Eric had always loved playing with his sisters, Rosa Walton, Katherine Gary, and Asanti Townsend-Johnson. He was also close to his brothers, Charles “Chuck” Gary, William, Robert Gary, Larry Gary, Paul Gary, and Dasanti Townsend-Johnson. Eric was known among his loved ones as a kind individual who let his faith as a Sunni Muslim guide him through life. After completing his initial education at East High School, he attained an Associate’s Degree from Daytona State College. Eventually, Eric moved to Rockford, Illinois, where he lived for around 30 years before moving to Florida.
In adulthood, Eric got into a relationship and welcomed his son, Eric Gary Jr., into his life. Sadly, that relationship didn’t work out, but he remained dedicated to raising his beloved son with immense love and care. He faced significant life challenges and experienced homelessness. Yet by 2024, he began taking control of his life by working as a construction laborer. Eric also received a Housing Choice Voucher, which helped him secure his own residence at 1400 North Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans, Louisiana. However, the life of the 50-year-old turned completely upside down on July 17, 2024. Around 2:19 am on that fateful day, officials received two 911 calls from Claiborne Avenue, reporting a shooting incident.
When first responders rushed to the location, they found a man lying inside his front room. He was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. The person was ultimately identified as Eric. Authorities noted that he had blood on his knuckles, which indicated that he likely had a scuffle before he was shot. Furthermore, the possibility of a robbery was ruled out, as several valuables, including DJ equipment and a laptop, remained untouched in the house. Detectives also observed that the furniture hadn’t been disturbed. Forensic experts recovered around 9 shell casings at the scene. The autopsy reportedly determined Eric’s cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds, while his manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Officials Arrested a Suspect Based on Witness Accounts and CCTV Footage
At the location, officials first spoke with a witness who informed them that she had heard gunshots before she looked into Eric’s home and saw him lying inside. Upon speaking with his family members, they learned that Eric had told them he was being set up. According to reports, one of Eric’s family members informed the authorities that on June 20, 2024, Eric had an altercation with some men who were spending time around his home. When detectives reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby restaurant, they discovered that it captured Eric sitting on his porch in the early hours of July 17. Reports state that a car arrived shortly after, and a man got out of the driver’s seat and had an altercation with Eric. The man then shot Eric multiple times before returning to the car and driving away.
Police records state that additional CCTV footage and license plate readers helped investigators identify the car as a silver sedan with a Mississippi license plate. In the meantime, another witness reportedly came forward to report that he had seen the shooter to be a slim black man, who was wearing a green work vest. According to investigative reports, another witness revealed that Eric had an argument with the suspect over parking the car in front of Eric’s home before he was shot. After they reportedly tracked down the suspect’s car parked near a residence, they discovered that a man named Alton Whittey was living there at the moment. Official reports indicate that after surveilling the home for a few days, investigators confirmed that Alton was the person who used the car that was spotted at the crime scene.
On July 22, 2024, officials took Alton into custody and executed a search warrant at his home. According to reports, they found two firearms on the table and .9 mm-caliber ammunition, which were similar to the ones that were found at the murder scene. Moreover, they found a green high-visibility vest at Alton’s house. When Alton was questioned at the station, he reportedly admitted to owning both the firearms and using the vest for his job. In his statements, Alton admitted to regularly visiting the area where the murder occurred and stated that he had visited Claiborne Avenue on the night of the murder. As per the records, he insisted he had no involvement in the crime. Alton was ultimately charged with second-degree murder.
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Alton Whittey Currently Appears to be Held in Custody as He Awaits Trial
After Alton was charged with the murder of Eric, ballistic experts were unable to match his two guns to the one used to fire the bullets at the crime scene. He was then booked at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office in New Orleans, Louisiana. While building the case, investigators reportedly learned that Alton was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana, illegal carrying of a weapon, and illegal carrying of a weapon while in possession of a narcotic in November 2016. However, no further reports suggest if he was ever convicted of those charges.
Following his arrest, Alton had pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder. Even by the end of July 2025, he remained in custody at the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. As of writing, it appears Alton is awaiting trial and remains in custody. According to the jail records, he is now facing charges of manslaughter, obstruction of justice, and attempted criminal negligence toward animals. However, public records have not revealed Alton’s current location or whether he has been transferred to a different detention center.
