Man found guilty of shooting, killing woman in front of their 5-month-old child

CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - In a press release, District Attorney, Shalena Cook Jones announced the malice and felony murder conviction of Shawn Bolden in the shooting death of his girlfriend, Deanna Ellison, today, December 1, 2025.

The release says jurors in the case took only 35 minutes to return the verdict after hearing about the incredible abuse Deanna suffered at the hands of Bolden.

The DA’s office says Deanna left the relationship on Mother’s Day of 2020 after she was slapped for inviting her mother over for dinner. At the time, she was 3 months pregnant with her first child.

The release states that, “Almost a year later and just 3 days before what would have been Deanna’s first Mother’s Day, Bolden emptied his 9mm revolver into Deanna, reloaded it and continued to shoot her lifeless body. All of this occurred in front of the couple’s 5-month-old child.”

The Medical Examiner testified to the jury that Deanna died from the impact of 11 total gunshot wounds.

Neighbors called 911 after hearing the gunshots and seeing a man run away from the home. First responders had to kick in the door when they arrived and heard the child screaming inside.

The jury watched the body worn cameras of the officers which, according to the prosecuting trial team, was one of the most difficult pieces of video they have ever had to show a jury.

About an hour after the murder, Chatham County dispatchers received a 911 call from an anonymous person saying Bolden had just confessed to killing his “baby momma”.

A BOLO was issued statewide, and Georgia State Patrol Officers located Bolden more than 100 miles away on I-16. After a high-speed chase across 2 counties, GSP deployed a successful PIT maneuver after which he was taken into custody.

The release says Port Wentworth detectives testified that Bolden lied and tried to manipulate the officers and the initial investigation. “Throughout the investigation, Bolden showed no concern for the wellbeing of his son or Deanna.”

It is cases like this one that has the Chatham County DA’s Office more focused than ever on victim’s rights. 

Our commitment to rebuilding the Special Victims Unit bigger and stronger than ever, is a commitment of support to all victims and their families. 

We will continue to fight harder than ever to assure Deanna’s family and others their memories will remain in the forefront of our minds and hearts and that their deaths or circumstances will never be in vain.

District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones

Bolden was also convicted of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon during the commission of a crime. Sentencing is scheduled for January 9, 2025, and the DA’s office says State will be asking for life without the possibility of parole.