Tommy Joe T.J. Burns, a 41-year-old man born October 20, 1980, was shot and found dead at a home on E. Sycamore Street in Grayville, Illinois, in the early hours of November 21, 2021. He is survived by his mother, Rayma Sue Burns; sons Sylas Dylan Burns and Johnathan Daniel Burns; and sisters Angela Dawn Burns, Kearston Michelle Burns, Sara Ann Brelsfoard, and Tiffany Marie Franklin. He was predeceased by his father, Thomas Cecil Burns, and grandparents William Burton, George, and Bertha Burns.

A 56-year-old man, Steven Schmittler, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. A jury later found Schmittler guilty of first-degree murder with a firearm enhancement, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Sycamore Street?