Connection Between Men Involved In Fatal Shooting

The man accused of a fatal shooting in downtown Dubuque this month made his first court appearance Wednesday after being apprehended in Michigan. 25 year old Deonte Ellison had his initial hearing in Iowa District Court of Dubuque County Wednesday morning via videoconference. Associate Judge Robert Richter set a $2 million cash bond on the murder charge but also imposed a no-bond hold for an unrelated parole violation. Ellison is charged with first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm in relation to the shooting death of 25 year old Curtis Smothers Jr. on July 2^nd . Reports say there appears to be a connection between Ellison and Smothers. 26 year old Vanessa Ellison has told police that Smothers is a father to one of her children and that Deonte Ellison is the father of her other child. Ellison’s next court hearing for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 31st.