Dayton man indicted in Darke County deadly shooting

Eric James Martin

Credit: Miami County Jail

Credit: Miami County Jail

Eric James Martin

A Dayton man accused of shooting and killing a man in Darke County has been indicted by a grand jury.

Eric James Martin, 27, is facing murder, aggravated murder, burglary, aggravated burglary, having weapons while under disability and two counts of trespass in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present, according to court records.

Martin is accused of shooting 29-year-old Layton White, of Union City, Indiana, twice in Gettysburg in Darke County.

Darke County Sheriff’s deputies responded around 4:20 p.m. Dec. 17 to a house in the 100 block of West Main Street on a shooting, according to the sheriff’s office.

White was pronounced dead on the scene.

Martin forced his way into the house and got into a fight with a woman who lived there, a witness told police.

“Layton White intervened to try and protect [the woman],” an affidavit read. “Martin went to his vehicle and returned with a handgun. He then shot L. White and even followed the victim further into the street and shot him again.”

Martin fled but was found shortly after in Troy, according to the sheriff’s office. He was taken to the Miami County Jail and later transferred to the Darke County Jail.

Martin’s bond was set at $150,000 on Dec. 20, according to court documents. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 20.

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