VIENNA, Ill. — An apparent argument over the COVID-19 vaccine between half-brothers led to a fatal shooting Saturday night in southern Illinois, authorities said.
Larry D. Cavitt, 68, of Goreville, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, Class M felonies, on Monday, according to Johnson County court records. Cavitt was also charged with aggravated battery with use of a firearm, a Class X felony, court records show.
According to Johnson County Sheriff Pete Sopczak, Cavitt and Joseph E. Geyman, 51, of Tunnel Hill, were arguing over the COVID-19 vaccine, The Southern Illinoisan reported. The two men lived next to each other, the newspaper reported.
An alleged argument over the COVID-19 vaccine led to a fatal shooting in Tunnel Hill over the weekend, authorities have confirmed. https://t.co/Hi5mKyptJv
— Southern Illinoisan (@thesouthern) August 31, 2021
According to the sheriff’s office, Cavitt allegedly used a handgun to fatally shoot Geyman in the head.
“Joe Geyman was one of the greatest guys around,” Sopczak told The Southern Illinoisan, adding that Geyman was a husband and father of four. “What makes it so tragic is that it was so senseless. It just makes no sense.”
Bail was set at $750,000, WSIL reported, and Cavitt posted bond from the Massac County Jail on Tuesday. Cavitt was ordered to possess no firearms and have no contact with Monica Geyman and her children, the television station reported.
Cavitt is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 15, according to WSIL.
More coronavirus pandemic coverage:
>> Coronavirus: How long between exposure to the virus and the start of symptoms?
>> How to not let coronavirus pandemic fatigue set in, battle back if it does
©2021 Cox Media Group
