Killing Girlfriend's Ex Earns Douglasville Man Life In Prison: DA

DOUGLASVILLE, GA — A Douglasville man was given a life sentence Tuesday and convicted of malice murder and aggravated assault for the 2015 killing of Antonio Ellison, the ex-boyfriend of his current girlfriend.

Shawn Clark shot Ellison three times, including once in the back of the head. Clark claimed self-defense at trial, but a post-arrest interview showed the situation did not justify the use of deadly force and that Clark escalated the situation beyond what was reasonable given the minor altercation that had occurred.

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Deah Warren prosecuted the case. Clark's sentenced was made by Chief Superior Court Judge David T. Emerson.

On Nov. 14, 2015, Clark was dating Kira McClure who had previously been in a relationship with the victim Antonio Ellison. McClure and Ellison had children together. On that afternoon, the Clark drove with McClure over to Ellison’s home and almost immediately became involved in a confrontation with the victim.

A minor physical altercation occurred involving the Defendant being slapped, at which point Clark retrieved a handgun, and shot the victim three times, including once in the back of the head.

Assistant District Attorney Warren said after trial that the DA’s Office was, “Pleased to achieve justice for Mr. Ellison’s family. The jury was able to see that though the defendant and the Mr. Ellison were engaged in a minor altercation, the defendant’s decision to repeatedly shoot the defendant was unnecessary and criminal. Though the verdict cannot bring Antonio Ellison back, I pray this verdict brings the family some degree of peace and closure.”

Photo courtesy of the Douglas County DA's Office