Possible Anti-Gay Murder in Florida
Equality Florida recent became aware of a possible anti-gay murder that occurred in Pensacola on Oct. 4th around 11PM.
The victim, Eli Siler was found lying in the street, with multiple gun shot wounds, just outside Emerald City - a popular gay bar in Pensacola. If anyone has information, please contact Detective Tarlanda Gooden at 435-1972 or the Pensacola Police Department at 435-1900.
Equality Florida will continue to closely monitor this situation as it develops.
__________
The following article ran in the Pansacola New Journal on Thursday, Oct 8th:
Pensacola man dies from gunshots
- Sean Dugas • [email protected]
October 8, 2009
A Pensacola man shot four times and found in the middle of a downtown street has died, Baptist Hospital staff confirmed today.
Because of privacy laws, the hospital could not say specifically when Elijah "Eli" Siler of Pensacola died. His autopsy is scheduled for 10 a.m. today, Assistant Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons said.
Siler, 26, was found about 11:15 p.m. Sunday near Wright Street and Eighth Avenue, according to the Pensacola Police Department. He was taken to Baptist Hospital.
A woman who was driving by saw Siler and called 911. Investigators believe the shooting occurred minutes before, Simmons said.
Police believe Siler was shot with a handgun, which has not been recovered. A motive in the shooting has not been determined, and police are now pursuing a murder investigation, Simmons said.
"We have no suspects at this time," he said, adding that it was not known why Siler was in the downtown area the night of the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Tarlanda Gooden at 435-1972 or the Pensacola Police Department at 435-1900.
