A Michigan City man is facing charges for shooting his brother dead Tuesday after claiming the man grabbed his steering wheel and caused him to crash into a tree, documents allege.
Julian Ellis, 40, was charged Wednesday with murder and a gun enhancement. Murder carries a 45-65 year penalty and the enhancement would add another 5-20 if convicted.
He told cops he couldn’t physically fight his bigger brother and just wanted to scare him. He forgot the gun was loaded. Ellis is in custody, held without bond, online court records show.
Gary Police responded Tuesday to the 3800 block of W. 10th Avenue.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office ruled 44-year-old Claudell Ellis’ death a homicide from a single gunshot wound to the armpit or shoulder. Charging documents note he was far enough away not to have traces of gunpowder on him.
Julian Ellis, alongside his son and brother, had just got off the midnight shift in Portage. While driving home, Julian said he and Claudell started arguing when he asked for gas money for giving him rides to work each day. His brother threatened to beat him. Julian was concerned any blow would aggravate a stroke he had previously suffered.
As Julian pulled up to their relative’s house, where Claudell lived, he grabbed the wheel, causing the vehicle to crash, Julian told officers. As they walked into the home, the other man “lunged” at him, before Julian shot him, records allege.
Police recovered a black handgun.
Julian was angry Claudell was “laughing” about the crash. He should have kicked Claudell out of the car. His brother was a “bully,” court records state.
A video appeared to show Julian hopping in the car just before it slowly hits the tree. It does not appear to show Claudell grabbed the wheel, records allege.
“Turn the car off, (expletive),” someone said.
A second video showed Julian walking into the house holding a gun, before a shot is heard, the affidavit states.
“(Why did) you do this to me, man,” a man said off-camera.
“I got to tell them what happened,” a woman said.
Ellis’ relative said she was sleeping when she heard a gunshot.
His son confirmed the men had been arguing in the car. His father followed Claudell into the relative’s home, before there was a gunshot and he fell, the affidavit states.