Illinois Man Killed Half-Brother During Vaccine Dispute: Police

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — A Southern Illinois man is being held on two counts of first-degree murder and aggravated battery after police there said he fatally shot his half-brother during an argument over coronavirus vaccines. Illinois State Police said Joseph E. Geyman, 51, of Tunnel Hill, was fatally shot by his half-brother, 68-year-old Larry D. Cavitt, late Saturday night.

Johnson County Sheriff Pete Sopczak said the two men, who lived next door to each other, were arguing over the vaccine when Cavitt took out a handgun and shot his half-brother in the head, the Southern Illinoisan reported. Police said there was no physical fight leading up to the shooting.

Sopczak called Geyman, a father of four who planned to retire in December, "one of the greatest guys around" and labeled the crime "senseless."

An obituary for Geyman said he previously worked as a correctional officer before owning a small business. He was father to two sons and two daughters.

State police and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office responded around 11:45 p.m. Saturday to find Geyman fatally shot.

Cavitt was initially taken to the Massac County Jail in Metropolis before his bond was set at $750,000 during a hearing Monday.

Cavitt posted bond Tuesday and was released from jail, but was ordered not to have contact with Geyman's wife or children, according to the Southern. He's due back in court Sept. 15.

Court documents obtained by WSIL allege that Cavitt shot Geyman in the head with a 9 mm handgun.