Charlotte Ellis, a 68-year-old African American woman, was tragically shot and killed on February 11, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The incident occurred in the parking lot of Willowbrook Mall, located at 7925 FM 1960. Charlotte was sitting inside her truck with her daughter, Damitra Ellis, a 45-year-old African American woman, when they were both shot.
Charlotte Ellis died at the scene, while Damitra was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital with a gunshot wound to the head.
The suspect in the case, Dante Azjan Thomas, a 21-year-old African American man, was arrested and charged with murder and aggravated assault of a family member. Thomas, who is Charlotte Ellis's great-nephew and Damitra Ellis's cousin, had been living with both victims since his release from Harris County jail on January 30, 2015, in relation to another crime. Thomas was arrested on February 13, 2015, and subsequently charged for his role in the shooting.
Further investigation revealed that Thomas was also free on $50,000 bail at the time of the attack, after being charged with the murder of his girlfriend, 24-year-old Linda Vu, who was found stabbed to death in her apartment on January 27, 2015. Vu's two small children were present in the apartment at the time of her death. Thomas was arrested for Vu's murder on January 29, 2015, just two days after her body was discovered.
The tragic death of Charlotte Ellis and the subsequent investigation highlighted the complex and violent history of the suspect, Dante Azjan Thomas. The case drew significant attention due to the familial connections between the victims and the suspect, as well as Thomas's prior criminal charges. The investigation and legal proceedings surrounding the case aimed to bring justice for the victims and their families.
