Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that De’Ovryion Elijha Ray was indicted for murder and criminal possession of a weapon for the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Dashanna Donovan in Elmhurst on September 12.

The defendant allegedly fled New York immediately following the murder. He was apprehended October 7 in South Carolina and refused to waive an extradition hearing.

District Attorney Katz said: “My office secured the indictment of the defendant for the murder of Dashanna Donovan. We allege that the defendant shot her in the head and then fled the state in an attempt to avoid accountability. Thanks to the relentless investigative work by the NYPD and my office, we were able to identify the man allegedly responsible for this murder. Members of my Extraditions, Renditions & Property Release Services Unit worked hand in hand with law enforcement officials in South Carolina to ensure the defendant can be brought to New York to face the indictment charges filed against him. Our thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones as we seek justice.”

Ray, 23, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, appeared in court today in Laurens County, South Carolina, and was formally served with a governor’s warrant for his extradition. During the hearing, the defendant was informed of the indictment charges against him: murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

Laurens County Circuit Judge William McMaster remanded the defendant on the murder charge. The New York City Police Department and the Queens District Attorney’s office now have 30 days to obtain the defendant from South Carolina and bring him to New York. If convicted of the top count, the defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison.