Demarcus Dewayne Elam faces a $2 million bond and murder charges in connection with Shameka Miller’s death.
PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Bond has been set at $2 million for Demarcus Dewayne Elam, 28, of Humble, one of two men charged with murder in the death of a woman whose vehicle was found shot up and wrecked along Texas Highway 73 in South Jefferson County.
Elam and Javeon Javon Blount are both in custody on murder charges following the death of Shameka Miller, 37, of Arlington, Texas, whose body was discovered Saturday morning after a wreck along Texas Highway 73, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Blount is being held on a $1.5 million bond.
Elam’s bond was set Monday morning by Jefferson County Magistrate Judge Marc DeRouen.
RELATED: Two men charged with murder after fatal shooting on Highway 73
Miller first made contact with the two men at the Baymont Inn in Beaumont, Chief Donta Miller with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said. Miller called Beaumont police at about 6 a.m. upon leaving the hotel, reporting that she had been solicited for drugs by two men in the parking lot and that they were now following her in a grey Toyota, according to an affidavit provided by Judge Marc DeRouen.
Miller’s call was transferred to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office as she attempted to flee in her vehicle. Dispatchers eventually heard multiple gunshots over the phone, according to the affidavit.
Deputies responded around 6:30 a.m. Saturday to Highway 73 east of Veolia after reports of a reckless driver. Upon arrival, authorities found a vehicle crashed in the center median with multiple bullet holes. Miller was found unresponsive inside with an apparent gunshot wound. Personnel from City EMS and the Port Arthur Fire Department attempted to provide medical assistance, but Miller was pronounced dead at the scene.
Both Blount and Elam were identified on surveillance footage staying at the Baymont Inn and later entering the same vehicle Miller had described to dispatchers.
The sheriff’s office thanked several agencies for assisting in the investigation, including the Department of Public Safety, Port Arthur Police Department, Port Arthur Fire Marshal’s Office, Nederland Police Department, Beaumont Police Department and Crime Stoppers.
The investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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