A Georgia resident is facing a potential life sentence after being found guilty of fatally shooting his former girlfriend in the presence of their infant child. The jury took a mere 35 minutes to convict Shawn Bolden Jr. of several charges, including malice and felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. The charges stem from the 2021 killing of 29-year-old Deanna Ellison, as reported by the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office.
The prosecution detailed the chilling account of Bolden discharging his 9mm revolver into Ellison, reloading, and continuing to fire at her lifeless body. The relationship between Bolden and Ellison had ended after an incident on Mother’s Day 2020, when Bolden struck Ellison for inviting her mother to dinner. At the time, Ellison was three months pregnant. Despite their separation, the couple had agreed to jointly raise their child after his birth.
The tragic incident occurred on May 6, 2021, when neighbors alerted the Port Wentworth Police Department after hearing gunshots and witnessing a man fleeing from Ellison’s residence. First responders arrived at the scene to find a distressing sight: Ellison’s lifeless, blood-covered body and their terrified child, nearly wedged in the headboard of a bed.
Shortly after the incident, an anonymous tipster informed 911 that Bolden had confessed to shooting Ellison. Police later located Bolden’s vehicle approximately 100 miles from the crime scene. Following a high-speed pursuit spanning two counties, Georgia State Patrol officers apprehended Bolden.
Investigators reported that Bolden attempted to deceive and manipulate the course of the investigation, showing no concern for his son or Ellison. District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones emphasized the commitment of the Chatham County DA’s Office to victims’ rights, pledging to strengthen the Special Victims Unit and support all victims and their families.
Bolden’s sentencing is scheduled for January 9, with the state seeking a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Ellison’s obituary described her as a vibrant individual with a “zest for life,” a “huge personality,” and a “heart of gold.”