Left: Willis Ellis (Will County Jail via Shaw Media). Right: Lyndon Hunt (Minor-Morris Funeral Home).
An Illinois man who was cooking out for his wife and in-laws on Mother’s Day shot and killed a neighbor after the man interrupted the gathering with repeated insults, authorities and trial evidence showed.
Willis Ellis, 58, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 60-year-old Lyndon Hunt in Joliet. Police were called around 4:30 p.m. on May 8 to a residence in the 200 block of Nicholson Street, where they found Ellis, who had dialed 911 and reported that he had shot someone.
Hunt was taken by paramedics to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Ellis was arrested at the scene, police said.
A courtroom account of the trial from Shaw Local said the two men lived in the same apartment complex. Ellis had been grilling for his family while Hunt worked nearby on his fishing poles.
Video played for jurors showed Hunt hurling insults at Ellis and challenging him to fight, according to the report. Ellis then drew a gun and shot Hunt in the stomach. As Hunt collapsed, he pleaded with Ellis, saying, “don’t do it.”
Taking the stand in his own defense, Ellis said he believed Hunt was about to act on his threats. Prosecutors, however, pointed to the video and noted Ellis appeared to be laughing during the confrontation. Ellis reportedly told the court he laughed “out of fear,” while also acknowledging that he had threatened Hunt.
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.
