A Joliet man has been convicted of second-degree murder for fatally shooting his neighbor during a Mother's Day cookout. Willis Ellis, 58, killed 60-year-old Lyndon Hunt on May 8 after an argument escalated. The verdict came after a trial that included video evidence and testimony from Ellis.
Ellis was grilling for his family in the 200 block of Nicholson Street when Hunt, working on fishing poles nearby, began insulting him and challenging him to fight. A video shown to the jury captured the confrontation, during which Ellis pulled out a gun and shot Hunt in the stomach. Hunt fell to the ground and pleaded with Ellis not to continue.
Ellis called 911 himself and told police he had shot someone. He was arrested at the scene. During the trial, Ellis testified that he believed Hunt would act on his threats. Prosecutors countered that the video showed Ellis laughing, which he attributed to fear.
Hunt, known as "Lightbulb," was pronounced dead at the hospital. Ellis remains in the Will County Jail as he awaits sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.