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$1.5 million bond for Fox River Mall shooting suspect

Posted at 4:11 PM, Feb 08, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-09 10:10:19-05

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY — A cash bail bond of $1.5 million has been set for the teen suspect in the Fox River Mall shooting.

Dezman Ellis, 17, is accused of killing Jovanni Frausto, 19, at the Fox River Mall in Grand Chute on Jan. 31 during an argument over a girl. A bystander was wounded, and the shooting forced people to shelter in place inside the mall.

Ellis was with his girlfriend, who used to date Frausto, according to the criminal complaint. Their friends told police that Ellis and Frausto started to argue and were threatening to beat each other up, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said Ellis pulled out a gun and shot Frausto, who later died. A bystander, 20-year-old Colt Lemmers, was shot in the hip. Ellis fled the mall in a car with friends, authorities said.

Ellis was eventually found and arrested in Des Moines, Iowa. He was then brought back to Outagamie County Jail and made his first court appearance Monday.

While in court, Jovanni Frausto’s mother, Tanya Lopez, addressed the court prior to bond being set.

"I don’t think he should have a bond at all. I think there should be no bond. He took my son from me. He clearly knew what he was doing, and he did it. He needs to sit in there. My son can’t come home," said Lopez. "I can never see my son again. I think he should be sitting there and not getting out, not seeing the daylight at all. I’m planning my son’s funeral right now. There should be no bond."

Should Ellis be released, he is to have no contact with alleged victims or witnesses, can't use or possess any dangerous weapons, must maintain absolute sobriety and can't leave the state.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.