A man has been found guilty of multiple charges, including murder, after fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend in front of their infant child. Shawn Bolden Jr was convicted by a jury on counts of malice and felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime in connection with the 2021 death of Deanna Ellison, aged 29.
Prosecutors revealed that the relationship between Ellison and Bolden soured when she decided to end it following an incident where Bolden slapped her on Mother’s Day in 2020. Despite their separation, they had agreed to co-parent their child once born. Tragically, on May 6, 2021, police were alerted by neighbors who reported gunshots and witnessed a man fleeing the scene at Ellison’s residence.
Upon entering the home, first responders discovered a harrowing scene: Ellison’s lifeless body covered in blood and their infant child crying and inconsolable nearby. The Medical Examiner confirmed that Ellison had succumbed to 11 gunshot wounds.
An hour after the incident, a 911 call was made to Chatham County dispatchers implicating Bolden in the murder. A statewide alert was issued, and Bolden was apprehended by Georgia State Patrol Officers after a high-speed pursuit spanning two counties. Detectives noted that Bolden had attempted to obstruct the investigation and displayed no regard for the well-being of his son or the victim.
The District Attorney, Shalena Cook Jones, condemned the brutal act, stating that Bolden callously shot Ellison multiple times in front of their infant child just days before what would have been Deanna’s first Mother’s Day.
Bolden also faces charges of aggravated assault and weapon possession, with sentencing scheduled for January 9. The prosecution intends to seek a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Deanna Ellison was remembered in her obituary as a vibrant individual with a positive outlook on life, a compassionate heart, and a unique personality that left a lasting impact on those around her.