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Akron man sentenced to life in prison for 2023 murder outside apartment building

Thomas Ellis, who was found guilty of murdering Dominic Gray, will be eligible for parole after serving 21 years of his sentence.

AKRON, Ohio — A 21-year-old Akron man has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of murdering a man in 2023. 

Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Susan Baker Ross handed down the life sentence to Thomas Ellis on Monday morning. Ellis will be eligible for parole after serving 21 years.

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Earlier this month, Ellis was found guilty by a jury on two counts of murder and one count of felonious assault. All of the charges featured firearm specifications.  

“This was a difficult case and I’m pleased justice was served and Thomas Ellis will spend a significant amount of time in prison. Thank you to the prosecutors who fought for the victim and their family,” said Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich in a statement after the sentencing. 

On September 8, 2023, Akron police were called to an apartment building in the 800 block of Beardsley Street and found 33-year-old Dominic Gray, who had been shot four times. Gray was taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police later arrested Ellis, who was carrying a loaded handgun, near the crime scene. 

Investigators found that prior to the shooting, Gray and his girlfriend had been in an argument, but the two walked away from each other prior to Ellis approaching Gray and shooting him.

PREVIOUSLY: 21-year-old man arrested following fatal shooting in Akron

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