Eric Williams, 39, was killed during a violent home invasion at his Central Avenue residence in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, on the night of March 29, 2014. A group of men — reported as many as four — forced their way into the home, held Williams’ girlfriend and her four children at gunpoint, and posed as Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics agents to gain entry. Williams was found in the carport with a gunshot wound to the right eye and was pronounced dead about 10:30 p.m. His girlfriend was assaulted; the children were not physically harmed.

Investigators identified multiple people of interest and pursued leads across state lines. Seven individuals were taken into custody and charged with capital murder in connection with the home invasion and Williams’ death; one of the first publicly named suspects was Brandon Gilmore.