Georgia Man Convicted of Executing Ex-Girlfriend in Front of Their 5-Month-Old Child After Reloading and Continuing to Shoot Her
PORT WENTWORTH, GEORGIA — A Georgia man faces life in prison after a jury convicted him of shooting his ex-girlfriend nearly a dozen times — pausing to reload his weapon and continuing to fire into her lifeless body while their 5-month-old child watched, according to prosecutors. Shawn Bolden Jr. was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and weapons charges in the 2021 killing of 29-year-old Deanna Ellison, the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office announced.
Prosecutors: Suspect Emptied 9mm Into Her, Reloaded, and Kept Firing
According to the DA’s office, Bolden launched the deadly attack on May 6, 2021, inside Ellison’s Port Wentworth home. Prosecutors said Bolden “emptied his 9mm revolver into Deanna, reloaded it and continued to shoot her lifeless body.”
The couple had separated after a violent argument on Mother’s Day 2020, when Ellison — then three months pregnant — left the relationship for good. Although no longer together, the two agreed to co-parent their son after his birth.
Child Found Screaming Beside Mother’s Body
Neighbors called 911 the night of the murder after hearing gunshots and a man running from the home. When first responders kicked in the door, they found a horrific scene.
Ellison’s body was covered in blood, prosecutors said, and her baby was discovered thrown onto the bed, nearly wedged in the headboard, “crying and inconsolable.”
Moments later, an anonymous caller reported that Bolden had admitted to the shooting.
High-Speed Chase Ends in Arrest
Police spotted Bolden’s vehicle about 100 miles away, triggering a high-speed chase across two counties. Georgia State Patrol troopers eventually disabled his car and arrested him.
Detectives said Bolden “lied and tried to manipulate” investigators following his capture, showing no remorse and “no concern for the well-being of his son or Deanna.”
DA: Case Reinforces Commitment to Victims’ Rights
Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones praised the jury’s swift conviction, saying cases like this strengthen the office’s dedication to rebuilding its Special Victims Unit.
“Our commitment to rebuilding the Special Victims Unit bigger and stronger than ever is a commitment of support to all victims and their families,” Jones said. “We will continue to fight harder than ever to assure Deanna’s family and others that their memories will remain in our hearts and that their deaths will never be in vain.”
Prosecutors plan to seek life without the possibility of parole when Bolden is sentenced on January 9.
Family Remembers Ellison’s “Huge Personality”
Ellison’s obituary described her as someone who had “a zest for life, a huge personality, a heart of gold and a mind of her own.” Loved ones remembered her warm smile, infectious laugh, and strong, encouraging presence.
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