Latest news with #Bursey
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Jury finds Gary man guilty of murder, other felonies in fatal shooting after car wreck
A Lake County jury found a Gary man guilty Wednesday of all four felonies against him in a case involving a fatal shooting after a car wreck last year. Billy Cross, 47, was found guilty of felony charges for murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, operating a loaded machine gun and possession of a machine gun. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 10. Defense lawyer Mark Gruenhagen had accused a man of backtracking on prior testimony – where he said Kylin Bursey had guns in his vehicle and a gun on his waistband before Cross opened fire. Authorities allege his wife Angelia Cross hit Bursey's vehicle on April 30, 2024, near 4th Avenue and Adams Street. Bursey, 33, of Gary, was in the vehicle with his girlfriend, plus five children. He and Angelia traded words. Later, she called Billy Cross where he fatally shot Bursey on the 4100 block of W. 23rd Avenue. Bursey was shot at least six times in the head, neck and back, records show. He was transported to Methodist Northlake in Gary where he was pronounced dead. Deputy Prosecutors Brad Carter and Bernie Johnsen said the Crosses tracked Bursey's vehicle down; Bursey was unarmed before Billy Cross gunned him down. The shooting was captured on a home doorbell camera. Gruenhagen argued Cross feared for his life and shot preemptively in self-defense. On cross-examination, Gruenhagen quoted the witness' past testimony in earlier hearings. Did you forget? Are you lying, Gruenhagen asked him. No, the man responded. He feared leaving his home. 'I'm dealing with a (court case) myself, (plus) a situation that has nothing to do with me,' he told Gruenhagen. The Post-Tribune is withholding the man's name for his safety. The man ultimately said he saw Bursey had a weapon earlier that day at a gas station and was 'known to carry guns.' A detective responded at 5:45 p.m. where police found a red Chevrolet Tahoe with two bullet holes, parked in front of a house. Fourteen bullet casings and blood were on the street. No guns were recovered. Security footage showed Bursey standing near the back of his red Chevrolet Tahoe on West 23rd Avenue with four people — three men and a woman. A red vehicle pulls and parks, and then a dark GMC Envoy parks behind it. Cross and a woman in a pink tank top get out. 'Right here, with the hat,' Cross' wife appears to say, pointing at Bursey. 'Who said they were going to beat my wife,' Cross demands. Bursey appeared to walk away. 'Don't move, don't move,' Cross says. Cross appears to raise his arm and fire at Bursey, who fell down. The detective alleged Cross' handgun was likely modified with a switch to fire 15 bullets in one second. The crash was caught on camera around 3:39 p.m. near 4th and Connecticut St. where Cross' wife — in the GMC — hit Bursey's vehicle, documents state. He got out to get her insurance information and license plate number. They ended up arguing about who caused the accident. 'He's going to hit me…hurry up and get here,' witnesses said Cross' wife yelled. Bursey, with a man and woman in his car, moved to a bus lot, then to the 4100 block of W. 23rd Avenue. Cross' wife was 'going to call her people,' one witness told police. Angelia Cross was charged with a murder case in October. Her bail hearing is scheduled next month. mcolias@
Chicago Tribune
14-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Jury finds Gary man guilty of murder, other felonies in fatal shooting after car wreck
A Lake County jury found a Gary man guilty Wednesday of all four felonies against him in a case involving a fatal shooting after a car wreck last year. Billy Cross, 47, was found guilty of felony charges for murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, operating a loaded machine gun and possession of a machine gun. He is scheduled for sentencing on July 10. Defense lawyer Mark Gruenhagen had accused a man of backtracking on prior testimony – where he said Kylin Bursey had guns in his vehicle and a gun on his waistband before Cross opened fire. Authorities allege his wife Angelia Cross hit Bursey's vehicle on April 30, 2024, near 4th Avenue and Adams Street. Bursey, 33, of Gary, was in the vehicle with his girlfriend, plus five children. He and Angelia traded words. Later, she called Billy Cross where he fatally shot Bursey on the 4100 block of W. 23rd Avenue. Bursey was shot at least six times in the head, neck and back, records show. He was transported to Methodist Northlake in Gary where he was pronounced dead. Deputy Prosecutors Brad Carter and Bernie Johnsen said the Crosses tracked Bursey's vehicle down; Bursey was unarmed before Billy Cross gunned him down. The shooting was captured on a home doorbell camera. Gruenhagen argued Cross feared for his life and shot preemptively in self-defense. On cross-examination, Gruenhagen quoted the witness' past testimony in earlier hearings. Did you forget? Are you lying, Gruenhagen asked him. No, the man responded. He feared leaving his home. 'I'm dealing with a (court case) myself, (plus) a situation that has nothing to do with me,' he told Gruenhagen. The Post-Tribune is withholding the man's name for his safety. The man ultimately said he saw Bursey had a weapon earlier that day at a gas station and was 'known to carry guns.' A detective responded at 5:45 p.m. where police found a red Chevrolet Tahoe with two bullet holes, parked in front of a house. Fourteen bullet casings and blood were on the street. No guns were recovered. Security footage showed Bursey standing near the back of his red Chevrolet Tahoe on West 23rd Avenue with four people — three men and a woman. A red vehicle pulls and parks, and then a dark GMC Envoy parks behind it. Cross and a woman in a pink tank top get out. 'Right here, with the hat,' Cross' wife appears to say, pointing at Bursey. 'Who said they were going to beat my wife,' Cross demands. Bursey appeared to walk away. 'Don't move, don't move,' Cross says. Cross appears to raise his arm and fire at Bursey, who fell down. The detective alleged Cross' handgun was likely modified with a switch to fire 15 bullets in one second. The crash was caught on camera around 3:39 p.m. near 4th and Connecticut St. where Cross' wife — in the GMC — hit Bursey's vehicle, documents state. He got out to get her insurance information and license plate number. They ended up arguing about who caused the accident. 'He's going to hit me…hurry up and get here,' witnesses said Cross' wife yelled. Bursey, with a man and woman in his car, moved to a bus lot, then to the 4100 block of W. 23rd Avenue. Cross' wife was 'going to call her people,' one witness told police. Angelia Cross was charged with a murder case in October. Her bail hearing is scheduled next month.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Gary man on trial for road rage slaying in April 2024
Jurors heard testimony Monday on the aftermath of a minor car crash that led to Kylin Bursey's death. Billy Cross Jr., 47, of Gary, is charged with murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, operating a loaded machine gun, and possession of a machine gun. Authorities allege his wife Angelia Cross hit Bursey's vehicle near 4th Avenue and Adams Street. They traded words. Later, she called Billy Cross where he fatally shot Bursey on the 4100 block of W. 23rd Avenue. Bursey, 33, of Gary, was fatally shot on April 30, 2024, at least six times in the head, neck and back, records show. He was transported to Methodist Northlake in Gary where he was pronounced dead. It was a 'three-part tragedy,' Deputy Prosecutor Brad Carter said in opening statements. After the fender bender, Billy Cross went on a 'hunting expedition' and killed him, he alleged. An eight-second home security camera from across the street captured the shooting. Defense lawyer Mark Gruenhagen told jurors he believed there was more to the story; it was a 'clear case of self-defense,' he said. At least one witness – Bursey's friend there to install car speakers – said Bursey had guns, the lawyer said. It was a 'pure coincidence' that Angelia and Billy Cross – headed to her dad's house – ran into Bursey and his family on 23rd Avenue, he argued. As Bursey walked away from the confrontation with Billy Cross, Bursey reached to his waistband, the lawyer said. Cross feared for his life. It was a 'quick draw contest,' Gruenhagen said. Crying as prosecutors played the shooting video, Bursey's girlfriend Shawntel Rice – there for both events – strongly denied he was armed when pressed by Gruenhagen on cross-examination. She denied reaching into his waistband afterward to hide a gun in their vehicle. Bursey was the biological father to two kids, and a surrogate father to her other three. After her testimony, she told reporters Bursey was killed the day before their son's first birthday. After the crash, they went instead to 23rd Avenue where they were supposed to have a play date with a friend's kids. She was in a passenger seat, putting her young daughter's hair in a ponytail when the Cross' arrived. Her five kids – all under 10 – were in the vehicle. A detective responded at 5:45 p.m. where police found a red Chevrolet Tahoe with two bullet holes, parked in front of a house. Fourteen bullet casings and blood were on the street. No guns were recovered. Security footage showed Bursey standing near the back of his red Chevrolet Tahoe on West 23rd Avenue with four people — three men and a woman. A red vehicle pulls and parks, and then a dark GMC Envoy parks behind it. Cross and a woman in a pink tank top get out. 'Right here, with the hat,' Cross' wife appears to say, pointing at Bursey. 'Who said they were going to beat my wife,' Cross demands. Bursey appeared to walk away. 'Don't move, don't move,' Cross says. Cross appears to raise his arm and fire at Bursey, who fell down. The detective alleged Cross' handgun was likely modified with a switch to fire 15 bullets in one second. Bursey did not appear to be armed. The crash was caught on camera around 3:39 p.m. near 4th and Connecticut St. where Cross' wife — in the GMC — hit Bursey's vehicle, documents state. He got out to get her insurance information and license plate number. They ended up arguing about who caused the accident. 'He's going to hit me…hurry up and get here,' witnesses said Cross' wife yelled. Bursey, with a man and woman in his car, moved to a bus lot, then to the 4100 block of W. 23rd Avenue. Cross' wife was 'going to call her people,' one witness told police. The couple followed them there, police alleged. Angelia Cross was charged in October. Her case is pending. mcolias@
Chicago Tribune
12-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Gary man on trial for road rage slaying in April 2024
Jurors heard testimony Monday on the aftermath of a minor car crash that led to Kylin Bursey's death. Billy Cross Jr., 47, of Gary, is charged with murder, unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon, operating a loaded machine gun, and possession of a machine gun. Authorities allege his wife Angelia Cross hit Bursey's vehicle near 4th Avenue and Adams Street. They traded words. Later, she called Billy Cross where he fatally shot Bursey on the 4100 block of W. 23rd Avenue. Bursey, 33, of Gary, was fatally shot on April 30, 2024, at least six times in the head, neck and back, records show. He was transported to Methodist Northlake in Gary where he was pronounced dead. It was a 'three-part tragedy,' Deputy Prosecutor Brad Carter said in opening statements. After the fender bender, Billy Cross went on a 'hunting expedition' and killed him, he alleged. An eight-second home security camera from across the street captured the shooting. Defense lawyer Mark Gruenhagen told jurors he believed there was more to the story; it was a 'clear case of self-defense,' he said. At least one witness – Bursey's friend there to install car speakers – said Bursey had guns, the lawyer said. It was a 'pure coincidence' that Angelia and Billy Cross – headed to her dad's house – ran into Bursey and his family on 23rd Avenue, he argued. As Bursey walked away from the confrontation with Billy Cross, Bursey reached to his waistband, the lawyer said. Cross feared for his life. It was a 'quick draw contest,' Gruenhagen said. Crying as prosecutors played the shooting video, Bursey's girlfriend Shawntel Rice – there for both events – strongly denied he was armed when pressed by Gruenhagen on cross-examination. She denied reaching into his waistband afterward to hide a gun in their vehicle. Bursey was the biological father to two kids, and a surrogate father to her other three. After her testimony, she told reporters Bursey was killed the day before their son's first birthday. After the crash, they went instead to 23rd Avenue where they were supposed to have a play date with a friend's kids. She was in a passenger seat, putting her young daughter's hair in a ponytail when the Cross' arrived. Her five kids – all under 10 – were in the vehicle. A detective responded at 5:45 p.m. where police found a red Chevrolet Tahoe with two bullet holes, parked in front of a house. Fourteen bullet casings and blood were on the street. No guns were recovered. Security footage showed Bursey standing near the back of his red Chevrolet Tahoe on West 23rd Avenue with four people — three men and a woman. A red vehicle pulls and parks, and then a dark GMC Envoy parks behind it. Cross and a woman in a pink tank top get out. 'Right here, with the hat,' Cross' wife appears to say, pointing at Bursey. 'Who said they were going to beat my wife,' Cross demands. Bursey appeared to walk away. 'Don't move, don't move,' Cross says. Cross appears to raise his arm and fire at Bursey, who fell down. The detective alleged Cross' handgun was likely modified with a switch to fire 15 bullets in one second. Bursey did not appear to be armed. The crash was caught on camera around 3:39 p.m. near 4th and Connecticut St. where Cross' wife — in the GMC — hit Bursey's vehicle, documents state. He got out to get her insurance information and license plate number. They ended up arguing about who caused the accident. 'He's going to hit me…hurry up and get here,' witnesses said Cross' wife yelled. Bursey, with a man and woman in his car, moved to a bus lot, then to the 4100 block of W. 23rd Avenue. Cross' wife was 'going to call her people,' one witness told police. The couple followed them there, police alleged. Angelia Cross was charged in October. Her case is pending.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Serve those who serve': Veterans, workers protest DOGE cuts at Boise VA Medical Center
About 60 people gathered outside the Boise Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Friday to protest the mass firing of probationary workers and a move from the Trump administration to no longer recognize the union that represents VA employees. The small but vocal group included union members and veterans holding signs saying 'DOGE hurts veteran care' and asking drivers passing by to honk if they supported veterans and the VA. Few cars passed without satisfying the call. Some people walking by picked up signs and joined in. Two employees whose jobs were not cut told the Idaho Statesman in late February that 14 of their colleagues in Boise were laid off immediately via an external email from the government's Office of Personnel Management as Elon Musk moved to slash the federal workforce at the behest of President Donald Trump. A regional director for Veterans Affairs confirmed that the medical center had 'dismissed a small number of probationary staff.' The workers who were dismissed were considered probationary, meaning they either began working for Veterans Affairs in the last couple of years or had recently received a promotion. Chandler Bursey, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1273, the union that represents more than 1,000 federal employees at the medical center, told the Statesman Friday that three of the 14 employees who were fired have since been hired back. The rest are on administrative leave. 'There's a cloud of unknowing just hanging over every employee,' Bursey said. 'There's a fear of what the next thing is that's going to come down. Last night, they killed our collective bargaining agreement. We're out here to argue that we should have that back.' Bursey said he appreciated workers from the Transportation Security Administration rallying in 'solidarity' with the VA employees. The TSA workers are also represented by the American Federation of Government Employees, and the Trump administration canceled their collective bargaining agreement on March 7, the Associated Press reported. An employee at the medical center, Rachel, who requested to be identified by only her first name for fear of retaliation, juggled three signs and a purple cowbell at the rally, handing out extras to people who walked by. She told the Statesman that working at the VA is 'my way of serving my country.' Veterans Affairs provides benefits and services to veterans and their families, including health care. Many of the department's employees are veterans themselves. Rep. Todd Achilles, a Democrat from Boise, also attended the rally. 'The cuts that they're talking about doing would just devastate care here, and the rest of the health care system in Idaho isn't ready,' Achilles said. 'We just don't have the resources.' Emily Thurlow, a recreational therapy provider at the VA, told the Statesman that she was fired a month before the end of her probationary period. Four weeks later, she was rehired. She said she wanted people to know that 'the VA is strong.' The union plans to demonstrate outside the medical center again from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Nationwide, about 2,500 jobs were slashed at the department in February. The first round of layoffs announced Feb. 13 affected 1,000 employees. On Feb. 24, the department said it was dismissing more than 1,400 additional employees in what it deemed non-mission-critical positions. And on March 4, Veterans Affairs unveiled a reorganization plan that involves axing 80,000 more jobs, which would equate to about 300 positions in Boise, according to Bursey. An internal memo obtained by The Associated Press instructed officials to work with the White House's Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to 'move out aggressively.' Secretary Doug Collins said the layoffs would not lead to cuts to health care or veterans benefits. But many VA employees aren't convinced. Trump signed an executive order Thursday limiting numerous agency employees, including those at Veterans Affairs, from unionizing. He instructed the government to stop engaging in any collective bargaining, NPR reported. 'We believe that their goal is to privatize the VA,' Bursey said. 'The best way to do that is to get rid of all your hurdles, which would be collective bargaining, the unions. If they succeed, veterans will get sub-par medical care. I guarantee it.' 'Confusion and chaos': Trump's DOGE cuts hit Boise Veterans Affairs Medical Center Trump administration cuts funds to state health departments. Idaho could lose millions 'You can report her, too!' Idaho activist targets GOP legislator with calls for ICE raids
