Staff photo / Ed Runyan Davontae R. McElroy, 21, of Warren, left , was sentenced to 14 to 19 1/2 years in prison Wednesday for firing gunshots at a car containing two undercover Warren police officers Oct. 13, 2023, at his mother’s house on Austin Avenue SW. McElroy’s attorney, Clarissa Smith, is at right.

WARREN — Davontae R. McElroy was sentenced to 14 to 19 1/2 years in prison Wednesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court for shooting at an unmarked car with two undercover Warren police detectives in it Oct. 13, 2023, at McElroy’s mother’s house in the 200 block of Austin Avenue SW.

No one was injured.

McElroy pleaded guilty Feb. 25 to two counts of attempted murder with firearm specifications and tampering with evidence before Judge Sean O’Brien, who followed the prosecutor’s recommended sentence.

Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Chris Becker said the incident involved McElroy coming outside the home and shooting a gun at least five times at a car passing by the neighborhood containing two undercover Warren police officers.

He noted that McElroy was not charged with shooting at police officers “because they were in an undercover vehicle. They were wearing plain clothes. However, (McElroy’s) actions clearly show he is a violent individual.”

Becker said McElroy “came out with a mask on” and a red sweatshirt. Later that night with a search warrant, police recovered the mask and red, hooded sweatshirt with McElroy’s DNA on it. The gun that was used was recovered, and it matched the bullet shell casings found in the driveway, Becker said. The gun had McElroy’s DNA and fingerprints on it.

McElroy was arrested in July 2024 in southern Ohio.

Becker referenced the long sentencing memorandum filed by McElroy’s attorney, Clarissa Smith, that stated McElroy acted the way he did because of earlier incidents and threats involving a car that looked like the one the police were driving.

“Quite honestly, if he is afraid of people coming to his house, he could always call police, even do all kinds of other things,” Becker said, adding, “We think the actions in this case clearly warrant the sentence the state is recommending.”

When Smith spoke, she said she believes McElroy “is sincere in his remorse and taking responsibility.” She said when McElroy grew up, “he had hopes and dreams. He wanted to go to college. He wanted to play football. He spent his childhood dedicated to his studies and his athletics.”

But the athletic opportunity he had in Michigan fell through because “he wasn’t able to afford the tuition expense out of pocket, so he came back to Warren. And unfortunately, upon his return to Warren, he was the victim — and his family, his friends were the victim of several instances of violence.”

She said it began before he graduated from high school. “About a week before he graduated, he was in a vehicle that was shot up,” she said. “He was shot. His friend was shot. Unfortunately, another friend was killed.”

After returning home from Michigan, the violence continued, she said.

On Oct. 13, 2023, McElroy was at home with his sister and a friend at his mother’s house “that had had several instances of being shot up in recent months of 2023, and he saw a vehicle circling slowly in the neighborhood.” She said it resembled a vehicle from which gunfire had come toward him several weeks earlier.

“And ultimately, he went outside and he shot in the direction of the vehicle,” she said. “I don’t think there was anyone in this world who was more surprised by the fact that vehicle was occupied by law enforcement,” she said. McElroy “made a terrible decision,” she said.

McElroy realizes he had “many opportunities prior to going outside and shooting,” like calling police. She said McElroy realizes he overreacted. McElroy read a statement before he received his sentence, apologizing to the two detectives. He said he is remorseful and plans to learn trades in prison.

McElroy gets credit for 342 days spent in the Trumbull County jail awaiting trial. O’Brien declared McElroy a violent offender which has registration requirements.

After the sentencing, Becker told reporters that at the time of the gunfire, Warren officers were investigating the home where McElroy was living “for certain activity.”

Becker credited the Warren Police Department for the thorough work they did the night of the incident to collect evidence at the scene, including the gun McElroy used. It was found in a vent in the basement.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in crime here lately in Warren. We’ve had a number of murders and shootings, a stabbing. And hopefully this sentence will send a message to anyone who is thinking about picking up a firearm, it’s just not worth it,” Becker said.

He added, “Hopefully we will never see Mr. McElroy again, he learns his lesson and takes advantage of whatever he can in prison. Quite honestly, these types of violent incidents absolutely need to stop.”