Richmond County authorities arrested a 14-year-old accused of fatally shooting his stepsister in the head at least 10 times as she slept this afternoon.
Eric Lee Phillips Whitehead was charged with murder and one count of a firearm during the commission of a crime, Richmond County sheriff’s Lt. Scott Peebles said.
Police believe Mr. Whitehead shot 22-year-old Patricia Leigh Troglen with a 22-caliber rifle as she slept on a couch at her home on the 5000 block of Neely Road. Ms. Troglen’s stepmother found her body at the home around 3 p.m. today. She was pronounced dead at 4 p.m.
Mr. Whitehead had been staying at the home of his stepfather, Ms. Troglen’s father, temporarily, because he had been floating between different family members’ homes, Lt. Peebles said.
“He had lived a lot of his teen years from place to place,” he said. “He would be in between getting in trouble and running away.”
Deputies determined that Mr. Whitehead was the last person with Ms. Troglen before her death. Investigators for Richmond and Columbia counties began a search for the 14-year-old. Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies eventually found him at a friend’s home.
Authorities also found Ms. Troglen’s vehicle abandoned at a Raceway convenience store on Gordon Highway near Bobby Jones Expressway. Police believe Mr. Whitehead is connected to the theft, but have not yet charged him.
Mr. Whitehead confessed to investigators that he had a dream about him and Ms. Troglen arguing Friday, Lt. Peebles said. He awoke Friday afternoon enraged by the dream, which, he said, led him to take a rifle out of his stepfather’s room .
“They had not had any problems before,” Lt. Peebles said. “He pretty much considered her to be his best friend.”
Police will charge Mr. Whitehead as an adult. There are no other suspects in the shooting.
Ms. Troglen’s body will be taken to the GBI Crime Lab in Augusta for an autopsy this morning.
Mr. Whitehead is being held at the Richmond County Regional Youth Development Center.
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My prayers go out to the family
She is my sister-in-laws daughter and I can tell you the family needs all the prayers they can get right now.
Wow, how sad is that? Too many lives tragically changed over one horrific act. Prayers for all involved.
My prayers are with this family. So sad.
My prayers go out to the family.
What the heck was wrong with him?
God bless this family and this young man obviously he needs prayers as well.
May the Lord comfort this family during this tragic time. This is so sad.
DRUGS!! and the decay of society!--started in 1964! I feel for the family--kill the kid!
My heartfelt condolences go out to the family.
Why was the boy bounced around like that. I want to know what got him down that path.. talk to his parents
God Bless the family. My prayers go out to you.
Prayers
bmorris1970 I am sorry for your loss.struggling parent it is not always the parents' fault.Getting in trouble and running away....I know a family who had a child who kept running away and getting in trouble. She grew up to be a successful adult who is grateful her parents did tough love.
It can be demonic influences too. That is why it is so important to guard what you see and hear as the Words says to do.
Sorry for the loss but this kid had meanness to the core.
People please keep the negative comments to yourself they don't need it right now. Little Eric was my nephew I also knew the troglens and I never expected this either. It's hard for everyone. Just please keep the negative comments to yourself.
I agree, its easy to armchair quarterback this situation. Bottom line is 2 lives ruined, and multiple families left with permanent scars.
He needs the same attorney as Michelle Hawes. That way he'll be able to go free in a few years
I haven't read any comments by the usually gang of racists posting comments like they would have if all the parties involved were black. Not an accusation but rather an observation
Demonic influenece?? Get real!
White on white crime is climbing!!!
May God bless all family members, friends, me, and everyone who commented. God is a right now healer. Let us Pray: Father in the namr of Jesus, we come to you asking that you forgive our sins and create in us a clean heart. Lord, anything that would hinder you from hearing this prayer, please remove it fron us. We lift the family of the deceased and living before you right now. We are asking for supernatural and miraculous healings to take place. Lord we confess our sins before you and do believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and on the third day he was risen from the dead. (Romans 10:9,10) Thank you for bringing the family closer together at this time; knowing that their loved one has entered into ETERNAL LIFE. We thank you in advance for peace, love joy, and happiness that you have given to us by faith this day. We will forver give your name the glory, the honor, and all the praise in Jesus name Amen....
For those who have other beliefs, pray as well in your own belief. There is only one true and living God. I respect all and their beliefs. We are all of God children unless we fail to believe and repent. God bless all of you and I LUV U. Another scldier is at PEACE!