Djuan Eskridge: Teen arrested for ‘overkilling’ father by shooting him 31 times during confrontation
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
WISCONSIN, UNITED STATES: A 19-year-old boy went to extreme lengths, fatally shooting his father 31 times across various parts of the body, including the head and lower extremities.
This tragic incident unfolded after a physical confrontation involving Djuan Eskridge, his brother, and their father, William Eskridge.
In the aftermath of the death, authorities diligently pursued the accused, leading to his arrest after months of evading capture.
Djuan was apprehended on Wednesday, January 17, and is now facing charges of first-degree reckless homicide and using a dangerous weapon in the commission of a felony in the slaying of his father as per Law&Crime.
William Eskridge's body found
As per the probable cause affidavit, Milwaukee Police Department officers responded to a shooting report at a residence in the 3800 block of N. 7th Street on October 9, 2023.
Upon reaching the scene, first responders noted the presence of an adult male, later identified as William Eskridge, lying lifeless on the ground.
The area around the body was marked by spent shell casings, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
What did Djuan’s grandmother report?
Following the confirmation of William's death, authorities initiated an investigation into the events between the son and father.
They first interviewed Djuan's grandmother, who revealed that the victim William was her son and that it was her grandson -the victim's son- who had carried out the shooting.
The grandmother reported that earlier that evening, Djuan had arrived at the house with his brother and two other individuals whom she did not know.
A physical confrontation ensued between Djuan's brother and William, during which Djuan retrieved a firearm and shot his father multiple times.
The affidavit stated, "(The grandmother) mentioned that after (William Eskridge) fell to the ground, the defendant walked closer to him and shot additional rounds at (William Eskridge).”
An autopsy revealed that William Eskridge had sustained a total of 31 gunshot wounds.
Police wrote, "The autopsy indicated that WJE had sustained those gunshot wounds to his head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, back, buttocks, upper extremities, and lower extremities, causing perforations to his lungs, heart, aorta, and small and large intestines. Dr Calderaro ruled WJE’s death a homicide due to complications from gunshot wounds."
Police collect footage evidence
Police stated they acquired video surveillance footage capturing segments of the shooting incident. The footage reportedly depicts Djuan Eskridge, easily identifiable by his black sneakers, pulling out a gun and firing at his father.
Subsequently, he was seen approaching the fallen victim and continuing the shooting before fleeing the scene on foot.
In the immediate aftermath of the killing, William Eskridge's aunt, Rosalind Jackson, spoke to Milwaukee ABC affiliate WISN, expressing the family's desire for justice.
She emphasized, "I don’t care what the circumstances may have been, there was no reason for that. And you didn’t just kill him, you over-killed him. You devastated our family. And to think that you could just do this to your father, sad."
Jackson previously informed Milwaukee CBS affiliate WDJT that she believed Djuan Eskridge was angered by his grandmother for throwing him out of the house and had threatened her with violence, prompting his father to intervene.
Djuan Eskridge had his initial court appearance on Thursday, January 18, where a judge set his bond at $200,000.
