On a spring morning in Alabama, what began as an outdoor adventure ended in a devastating loss. Eleven-year-old Troy Justice Ellis, a male who loved hunting and fishing, was on a turkey hunt with his father, Obed Ellis, on May 1, 2020. The hunt was organized by a group that sponsors hunts for wounded veterans, and Troy was acting as a guide. They were part of a small hunting party in Jefferson County. During the hunt, a single shot tragically struck and killed young Troy.
His father also sustained minor injuries in the incident.
The man who fired the shot was identified as Joshua Stewart Burks, a 35-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran and middle school teacher. Following an investigation by Jefferson County Sheriff's detectives, a warrant was issued for Burks's arrest on a charge of reckless manslaughter. His attorney stated that Burks in no way intended for the horrible accident to occur and felt extreme sorrow for the Ellis family. Burks later surrendered to the Jefferson County Jail.
The legal proceedings took a significant turn when a grand jury reviewed the case. The initial charge of reckless manslaughter was upgraded to capital murder of a person under the age of 14. This new charge made Burks eligible for the death penalty if convicted. Burks's defense attorneys expressed their disappointment with the grand jury's decision, maintaining that the shooting was a tragic accident.
Ultimately, the trial concluded with a conviction. In a poignant moment during the legal proceedings, Joshua Burks asked for forgiveness from Troy's family. The family, in turn, expressed their forgiveness. Burks was sentenced to six months in the Jefferson County Jail, followed by three years of probation. In the wake of their profound loss, Troy's family established The Troy Ellis Foundation to honor his memory by helping other young people experience the outdoors and participate in sports.
