RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond authorities have decided not to move forward with existing charges against Alonzo Ellis, the man accused of shooting and killing his daughter while holding a child.
The Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office decided to “nolle prosequi” — or drop — the original charges, meaning they will not proceed with the ones initially filed.
Ellis, who was initially charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and shooting into an occupied dwelling, will remain in the Richmond City Jail as the case moves forward under new charges.
On Saturday, May 31, the Richmond Police Department was called to an apartment in the 700 block of Harrison Street for the report of an armed party.
When police arrived, they found 55-year-old Alonzo Ellis of Richmond holding both a child and a firearm, according to court documents obtained by 8News.
They also found Alonzo Ellis’ daughter, 22-year-old Alicia Ellis, on the floor with a gunshot wound. She died at the scene.
While prosecutors have not disclosed the reason for dropping the initial charges, they noted it is not uncommon to do so in order to bring forward different or more serious charges.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office has not yet said what the new charges will be.
