Reports on events leading up to Shanks' death are varied and include attempted robbery, assault and sleeping on a porch. A deputy confronted him for an unknown reason, and Shanks fled into the woods. The deputy reports that when Shanks pointed a gun at him, he ordered him several times to drop the weapon. When Shanks did not comply, he shot and killed him.
Victim's Name: John Edward Shanks
Agency Responsible: Marion County Sheriff's Department
Gender: Male
Age: 29
Race: White
Date of Death: September 7, 2013
County: Marion
Cause of Death: Gunshot
Official Disposition: Pending investigation/No Known Charges
Criminal Charges: No known charges
Mental Illness: No
Armed: Allegedly Armed
Weapon: gun
Geography: Rural