Police Identify Suspect in Murder Investigation

DUBUQUE, Iowa – On July 2, 2020, at 5:58 p.m. Dubuque Police responded to the 400 block of Loras Blvd. for the report of a shooting and located Curtis R. Smothers Jr. 25 years old of Dubuque with a gunshot wound to the chest.  Smothers was transported by ambulance to MercyOne Dubuque where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators utilized City of Dubuque traffic cameras to determine Smothers was involved in a physical altercation with Deonte WB Ellison 25 years old of Dubuque following an argument in the 400 block of Loras Blvd. During the altercation, Ellison retrieved a handgun from his waistband and shot Smothers in the chest.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Ellison on the charges of Murder 1^st degree and Possession of a Firearm as a Felon with a $2,000,000 cash bond. Murder in the 1^st degree is a Class A felony punishable by life in prison. Possession of a Firearm as a Felon is a Class D felony punishable by five years in prison.

If you see Ellison do not approach him. Please call the Dubuque Police Department dispatch center at (563) 589-4415.

As with any criminal case, the charges filed are allegations and all suspects are presumed innocent until convicted in a court of law.  If you have any information on this incident, please call Cpl. Justin Stair at 563-589-4474, Inv. Kurt Rosenthal at 563-587-3808, Dispatch at 563-589-4415 or Crime Stoppers at 800-747-0117 or 563-588-0714 (if the information leads to an arrest, the caller is eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000). You can also submit tips anonymously online at www.cityofdubuque.org/police or through the MyDBQ smartphone app available at www.cityofdubuque.org/MyDBQ.
 
 
            

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