Mikhail Jawan Ellis, an 18-year-old male of African American ethnicity, tragically died on June 24, 2018, in Temple, Texas. He was a student at Temple High School and worked at Pace Painting in Temple. Mikhail was born on July 20, 1999, to Pamela White and Michael Ellis in Galveston, Texas. He is survived by his mother, Pamela White, his father, Michael Ellis, and several siblings.
On the day of his death, Mikhail was shot in the abdomen at a home in the 1500 block of East Calhoun in
Temple. Emergency services were called, and he was taken to Baylor Scott & White Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The incident was investigated by the police, and a suspect, 19-year-old Elijah Williams, was later arrested and charged with manslaughter.
According to an arrest affidavit, Williams confessed to playing with a handgun in the kitchen when it accidentally discharged and shot Mikhail. Williams was indicted by a Bell County Grand Jury on a manslaughter charge for his alleged involvement in Mikhail's death. The affidavit detailed that Williams was pulling the trigger and manipulating the slide of the handgun when it went off.
The case brought significant attention to the dangers of handling firearms irresponsibly, and the legal proceedings against Williams continued as the community mourned the loss of a young life. The tragic incident highlighted the need for stricter gun safety measures and raised awareness about the consequences of negligent behavior with firearms.
