Left: Willis Ellis (Will County Jail via Shaw Media). Right: Lyndon Hunt (Minor-Morris Funeral Home).
An Illinois man grilling for his wife and in-laws on Mother's Day fatally shot his neighbor, who had interrupted his cooking with a barrage of insults.
Willis Ellis, 58, was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of 60-year-old Lyndon Hunt in Joliet. Cops responded around 4:30 p.m. May 8 to a home in the 200 block of Nicholson Street. When cops arrived, they encountered Ellis who had called 911 and said he shot someone.
Paramedics rushed Hunt to the hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. Cops arrested Ellis at the scene.
According to a courtroom report from the trial by Shaw Local, Ellis and Hunt lived in the same apartment complex. Ellis was grilling for his family while Hunt was working on his fishing poles.
Hunt began insulting Ellis and challenged him to a fight, according to a video shown to the jury. Ellis pulled out a gun and shot the victim in the stomach. Hunt fell to the ground and begged Ellis "don't do it."
Ellis testified on his own behalf during his trial, and claimed he felt as if Hunt was going to follow through on his threats. But prosecutors noted the video showed him laughing during the incident. He reportedly claimed he was doing so "out of fear." Ellis also admitted to threatening Hunt as well.
According to his obituary, Hunt was known as "Lightbulb" and was proud of his Chicago roots.
"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 said. "These connections contributed to the legacy he will leave behind, touching the lives of many."
A sentencing date for Ellis is not listed. He remains in the Will County Jail.
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