Police release name of person who they are looking for in connection with Fox River Mall shooting

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (WBAY) – Grand Chute police say they are trying to locate and interview Dezman V. Ellis in connection with Sunday’s deadly shooting the Fox River Mall. Investigators believe he is armed and dangerous. If you have any information about the incident or where Ellis can be found, investigator ask that you immediately contact Grand Chute police by calling the department at 920-832-1575; texting “TIPGCPD” followed by your tip to 847411 (TIP411); or through the Grand Chute Police smartphone app.

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Police are looking to talk to Dezman Ellis in connection with the deadly shooting at the Fox River Mall on January 31, 2021. He may be riding in a car like the one pictured.

Ellis is believed to riding in a blue, 2012 Dodge Avenger bearing Wisconsin license plate AHP7939. He is 17 years old. His picture is at the top of this article.

Grand Chute police have also released the name of the victim who died in the shooting. 19-year-old Jovanni J. Frausto, died after being taken to a hospital.

A second victim suffered minor injuries and has been released from the hospital.

Police say this was a targeted incident.

Officers say they have thoroughly searched the mall, and safely escorted all shoppers and workers out of the building.

Initial report:

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (WBAY) – Police say a shooting at the Fox River Mall Sunday afternoon has turned deadly.

At a 7:30 p.m. news briefing, police said one of the two people shot during the incident had died. The other victim suffered minor injuries.

The identification of the victim who died won’t be released until family members are notified.

Police are still currently following up on leads in their investigation, and are speaking with witnesses.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Grand Chute Police Department at 920-832-1575.

Grand Chute Police couldn’t say if there was any danger to the public Sunday evening.

During the conference, police said a detailed search of the mall was still underway, and was estimated to be 85{85e7f5b37d2b3b32ff943ebdbb52de90edc4132ca8c2134f6732351e5442126f} complete. Officials said they expected to be finished with their search by about 8:30 p.m.

Police said the Chuck E. Cheese location on Michaels Drive is being used as a way to reconnect family and those who were at the scene.

Authorities have not identified a suspect or a motive at this time, however police said during their 6 p.m. briefing the shooter left the mall.

As of this time, no one has been arrested.

Police say any additional information regarding a suspect or the shooting victims will be provided in a release.

Grand Chute Police said officers were called to a shooting at the mall at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office is asking community members to stay away from the mall area.

Squad cars from multiple agencies could still be seen surrounding the building late Sunday evening, especially near the food court area, where witnesses tell Action 2 News is where they heard the shots go off.

Police are not letting anyone into the mall as of Sunday evening

Action 2 News spoke with a few witnesses who were in the mall Sunday afternoon who, although visibly shaken, described the scene as they fled the area.

“All of a sudden we heard gun shots and everybody scrambling in the mall asking what’s happening and everybody was telling me there was a shooting and anybody who was in the food court by Rocky’s I immediately told them to jump my counter, get in the bathroom and lock the door,” said Lili Jones, an employee at the Fox River Mall.

Others inside the mall did the same thing, with many staying in lockdown or sheltering in place until police gave the all clear.

Action 2 News cameras caught a crowd coming out of the mall a short time after the shooting, and some had their hands up in the air.

“We were in GNC and then we saw people running. It was like nails, when you hammer a nail and obviously we bolted in back too,” said Abbey Ames, who was shopping at the mall.

“Everything just got silent and they shut all of the cages real quick and we jumped in the back room and sat down, got secured,” said Nicholas Suprise, a fellow shopper.

During the incident, police blocked off the mall at every exit, and kept traffic away.

Tristan Davison, who was also shopping at the mall, said it was tough to anticipate how to react.

“You freeze up, you know you should do something, but you can’t,” said Davison.

“This is the first time I’ve ever like heard gun shots literally in a mall. I’ve been working here since August. This is all a shock to me. I’m still shaking terribly, I’m lucky,” said Jones.

In addition, community members are asked to only call 911 if they have important information to provide regarding the active situation at the mall, and not to ask questions about the incident.

Check back for more details as they become available.

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Law enforcement at the scene of an active situation at Fox River Mall.

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