Two people have been arrested in the shooting death of a Gainesville man found murdered in Buckhead last week. A passing motorist called 9-1-1 after seeing a man’s body found lying in a driveway.
The victim was identified as Christopher Eberhart, 57, who was found on Peachtree Battle Avenue last Thursday, Oct. 13. His family has posted online saying that Eberhart was in the area working on a construction job site. “This death was not something we can wrap our heads around. It was senseless and reckless,” says his friends and family on a Go Fund Me set up to support the two children he left behind.
Authorities believe that Eberhart was targeted for his vehicle. The investigation alleges that Eberhart was at the job site early and waiting for work to begin when someone confronted and shot him, stealing his vehicle.
Two suspects have been arrested in the case. Travis Landry, 18, was arrested near Mobile, Alabama that same day driving Eberhart’s truck. A second person in the truck, Braylon Espree, was also arrested as an accomplice.
Landry had already encountered Atlanta police that same morning. An officer had attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle Landry and Espree were in around 4:20 a.m. Instead of stopping, the pair fled from police. A short time later, the car was later found crashed and overturned with Espree still inside. Landry had left the scene on foot, while Espree was taken to a local hospital. Investigators are assuming that is when Landry, in desperation for another vehicle, shot Eberhart stealing his truck. Landry picked up Espree after he was released from the hospital later that morning and they fled to Alabama. Police were able to track the truck and arrest both men.
Landry is still in Alabama awaiting extradition to Georgia. He faces charges of felony murder, murder, motor vehicle hijacking and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
A memorial service will be held for Eberhart on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m. in the Flowery Branch Masonic Lodge. He leaves behind a wife, two children, two step-children and three grandchildren. His family says he was a Freemason and will be greatly missed. “The people who murdered Chris took not only his life, but a fraction of all of ours as well,” they write on the GoFundMe site. “His infectious smile, joyous conversations, beautiful way of thinking, and selfless contributions will never be forgotten.”
