An Illinois man was convicted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting a neighbor who interrupted his Mother’s Day barbecue with a barrage of insults. Willis Ellis, 58, was found guilty of killing 60-year-old Lyndon Hunt during an altercation in their Joliet apartment complex. Cops responded around 4:30 p.m. on May 8 to the 200 block of Nicholson Street and found Ellis had already called 911 to report the shooting. Paramedics transported Hunt to a hospital where doctors pronounced him dead at the scene. Ellis was arrested immediately after officers arrived.
Related: Father shoots, paralyzes mother after work delay
Arguments in the courtroom centered on the behavior exhibited during the confrontation. According to a courtroom report from the trial by Shaw Local, Ellis was grilling for his wife and in-laws on Mother’s Day when Hunt approached. Hunt was reportedly working on his fishing poles nearby. The confrontation escalated when Hunt began insulting Ellis and challenged him to a fight. A video shown to the jury depicted the moment Ellis pulled out a gun and shot Hunt in the stomach. Hunt fell to the ground and begged Ellis not to continue, saying “don’t do it.” Prosecutors pointed to this video as evidence that Ellis was not in immediate danger. They noted he appeared to be laughing during the incident. Ellis testified on his own behalf, claiming he felt as if Hunt was going to follow through on his threats. He reportedly said he was laughing out of fear and admitted to threatening Hunt as well.
Ellis remains in the Will County Jail while a sentencing date is set.
Related: Common Mistakes to Avoid with Legal Updates
According to his obituary, Hunt was known by the nickname “Lightbulb” and was proud of his Chicago roots. The family described him as a man whose life was shaped by his relationships. “As he journeyed through life, his path was shaped not only by his personal achievements but also by the relationships he built with family and friends,” the obituary read. “These connections contributed to the legacy he will leave behind, touching the lives of many.”
Leave a Reply