South Carolina Fugitive Held Without Bail in Ex-Girlfriend’s Murder
A man from South Carolina, accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend in what officials describe as an “execution-style” shooting in Queens, was ordered to be held without bail during a court appearance on Thursday. The victim, 21-year-old Dashanna Donovan, has left her mother devastated, stating she felt “no remorse” for the alleged crime.
At a hearing on September 12 in Queens Supreme Court, District Attorney Melinda Katz reported that the suspect, Deobrion Elijah Ray, 23, faced charges of second-degree murder and two counts of weapon possession linked to Donovan’s death.
Ray, who has pleaded not guilty, was denied bail by Justice Ushir Pandit Durant. According to court records, he displayed “absolutely no remorse” during this appearance. Donovan’s mother, Helena Hypolite, who was present, expressed her anger, saying, “I was just angry and very angry.”
Hypolite described a chilling moment when Ray and she exchanged glances throughout the proceedings, implying a sense of defiance. “When they brought him in, I stood up, and he looked at me and nodded. To me, it was like he was saying, ‘Now what?'” she recounted, her frustration palpable.
Ray was initially arrested in South Carolina on October 7 before being extradited to New York for the charges. He appeared in court handcuffed, dressed in navy pants and a gray sweatshirt but remained silent and avoided any eye contact as he was led away.
According to prosecutors, Ray traveled by bus from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to New York City on the day of the crime, arriving near Donovan’s home shortly before 9 p.m. Reports indicate that Donovan was in the backyard when she noticed motion lights being activated and recognized someone approaching. In a panic, she ran into her apartment.
However, Ray cornered her, armed, as she entered her home. Tragically, police found Donovan lying near the bathroom door, with multiple gunshot wounds. Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
After the incident, Ray reportedly fled back to Virginia Beach that very night. “This was a calculated, cold-blooded murder in which a young woman was shot and killed as she was running for her life,” Prosecutor Katz stated, calling it a tragic case of domestic violence. She emphasized that Ray had traveled to New York specifically to commit the crime and fled shortly afterward.
If found guilty, Ray could face a sentence ranging from 25 years to life in prison. His next court date is scheduled for March 6.
If you or someone you know is affected by any domestic violence issues, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
