Dezmin Ellis
GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) – UPDATE: Ellis has waived extradition to Wisconsin.The Polk County, Iowa, clerk of courts office confirms Dezman Ellis will be returned to Wisconsin to face charges.
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The suspect charged in last weekend’s fatal shooting at the Fox River Mall has been found and arrested.
Grand Chute police say Dezman Ellis, 17, was taken into custody without incident at a home in Des Moines, Iowa around 3:30 p.m. Thursday. He was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Task Force.
Ellis was sought after allegedly shooting two people at the mall on Sunday. The shooting resulted in the death of 19-year-old Jovanni Frausto and left a bystander, 20-year-old Colt Lemmers, injured.
A car connected to the shooting was found a day later outside a home in Oshkosh. Four people at the home were arrested on disorderly conduct charges, but not Ellis, who wasn’t there. The four were later released.
Grand Chute police had requested U.S. Marshals Task Force assistance in the investigation.
A criminal complaint says the shooting stemmed from a dispute over a girlfriend.
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“Jovanni and Dezman started to exchange words and Dezman was saying “what’s up, you don’t wanna do this, back up, and this and that.” Jovanni replied, “What do you mean, I am here with my girlfriend and her niece. This isn’t about fighting, this isn’t about fighting, what’s your issue, why are you coming up to me, why are you targeting me.”
She “continued to explain as they were exchanging words Dezman was saying ‘back up back up I will shoot this place up, I’ll kill you.’”
Prosecutors say Ellis pulled out a gun and shot Frausto. He was taken to the hospital, there he died. Autopsy results showed two gunshot wounds, one to his chest and one to his arm and back.
“What a tragic outcome and tragic way to settle a disagreement,” said Grand Chute Officer Travis Waas. “The lives that have been impacted because of these actions, not just for the victim’s family, but for every single person there was inside the mall Sunday. Whether they were shopping, whether they were working, the countless first responders, everybody has been impacted by this poor decision.”
Ellis’ brother told police he admitted shooting someone at the Fox River Mall.
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