Man Allegedly Fatally Shot by Neighbor in His Own Driveway for Using Noisy Leaf-Blower | "He Adored His Granddaughter"

Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of gun violence that some readers may find distressing.

An Illinois man, who became the latest victim in a chain of violent shootings while carrying out routine activities, was using a leaf blower on his property when he was allegedly shot and killed by a neighbor earlier this month.

William Martys was found dead in his Antioch Township driveway at about 7:35 p.m. on April 12 with a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced deceased at a nearby hospital, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, per ABC News.

Jacquelyn Martys, Martys' daughter, told The Washington Post that the family had no comment on her father's death. "We are trying to deal with the tremendous loss," she said. "William loved his children, adored his granddaughter, and appreciated the relationship he had with siblings, nieces, and nephews," his obituary states. 

"We understand from interviewing witnesses that this neighbor had confrontations with many different neighbors that live up and down that street," said Lake County Sheriff's Deputy Chief Chris Covelli, CBS News Chicago reported. "This wasn't the first time that he was seen with a firearm."

Authorities detained Martys' 79-year-old neighbor, Ettore Lacchei, on Tuesday after an inquiry, alleging that he approached Martys and began arguing with him. Lacchei allegedly shot and killed Martys during the argument, according to authorities. "Our condolences go out to the family and friends of William Martys, who was senselessly murdered," said Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg. He also mentioned how the sheriff's office is working relentlessly to get these victims their much-deserved justice and that the Criminal Investigations Division have been working to bring Martys to justice. He added, "I am happy Mr. Martys' family can begin the closure and healing process."

The sheriff's department stated in a press release that Lacchei had "various perceived grievances" with Martys. A neighbor of both men corroborated that history to Chicago ABC station WLS, stating that Lacchei had previously pulled a gun on Martys. "No one deserves anything like that and it's just kind of crazy to think that someone can just break like that over just a simple argument that can be fixed just talking," said neighbor JR McCarty.

William's family describes him as a friend who's always there for everyone. "If you were William's friend, you were his friend for life - he would be there no matter the circumstance. He did not hate many things, but he did hate stupid people who couldn't open their minds to new thoughts and ideas in life."

They added that he was a disciple of Kung Fu for most of his life "and believed that we are all connected to each other and it made him appreciate everything with a life force."

References:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/illinois-man-leaf-blower-shot-killed-neighbor-driveway/story?id=98914523

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/04/27/illinois-shooting-yard-leaf-blower-martys-lecchei/

https://www.strangfh.com/obituary/william-martys

https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/man-charged-shooting-killing-neighbor-unincorporated-antioch/

Cover Image Source: Lake County Sheriff's Office