Deonte James Ellison was 19 when he was killed on May 8, 2020, in Asheville, North Carolina. A talented athlete in baseball, basketball and football, he was described as deeply loved by his family, especially his younger brother Ayden.

On the night of May 8 around 9:15 PM, Ellison and 23-year-old Javon Malik Brown were shot while inside a vehicle parked at the Wendy’s on Merrimon Avenue. Brown was found at the scene with multiple gunshot wounds and died there. Ellison, a passenger, was critically injured when the vehicle later crashed at Merrimon Avenue and Chestnut Street; he was taken to Mission Hospital and died of his injuries.

Police arrested 18-year-old Amar Colia Clark on May 21, 2020, charging him with first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon; a juvenile was charged with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. The investigation remains active. If anyone has information about the shooting, please share it with investigators.