Tennessee Bureau of Investigation still investigating fatal shooting by Marion County deputy

photo The woods where John Shanks fled.
Arkansas-Ole Miss Live Blog

The results of a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation probe into a fatal shooting by a Marion County deputy in September will be submitted soon to 12th Judicial District Attorney Mike Taylor, but officials remain mum on the outcome.

John Shanks, 29, was shot and killed Sept. 7 by a Marion County deputy who answered a call reporting an intruder sleeping on the porch of a Jasper resident's home at 1594 Lock Dam Road.

The deputy, whose name has not been released, heard a gunshot as he arrived at the home and Shanks took off on foot, Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett said in September.

Burnett said the man fled into nearby woods and the deputy followed. He said Shanks pointed a firearm at the deputy, who told Shanks "several, several times" to lower the weapon. Shanks didn't obey and the deputy fired, killing Shanks.

TBI officials said this week that the case "is still open and active."

"I can tell you that they have finished the investigation and it is ready for submission to the District Attorney's Office," TBI Executive Officer Illana T. Tate said this week. "It has not been submitted yet, but will be very soon."

Tate said an autopsy also has been performed.

Residents on Lock and Dam Road near the shooting scene said the evening the shooting happened that they didn't see or hear anything Saturday morning.

"I didn't know anything about it for four or five hours this morning," neighbor John Wallace said.

Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.

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