THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, August 18, 1994              TAG: 9408180567
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                            LENGTH: Short :   29 lines

COUSIN OF 17-YEAR-OLD VICTIM IS CHARGED IN SHOOTING DEATH

A 17-year-old was shot in the head Wednesday afternoon and died a short time later in what police believe was an accidental shooting. The victim's cousin has been charged.

Police were called to the 1200 block of Norview Ave. in Norfolk at about 3:55 p.m. and found Thomas N. Ellis of the 5300 block of Beamon Road suffering from a single gunshot wound to the head.

He was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:17 p.m.

The victim's cousin, Shelton Ellis, 18, who lived in the apartment where the shooting occurred, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and using a firearm in commission of a felony.

He appeared before a magistrate Wednesday night and was released on a personal recognizance bond. He was to appear in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court this morning.

KEYWORDS: SHOOTING INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER by CNB