Deadly Shooting in Canton: Police Searching for 18-Year-Old Suspect Malachi Lee-Shawn Fortner
CANTON, Ohio (May 9, 2025) — A tragic act of gun violence has shaken the city of Canton, Ohio, as police continue an urgent manhunt for 18-year-old Malachi Lee-Shawn Fortner, who is wanted in connection with a fatal shooting that took the life of 21-year-old Stephon Dunn on Thursday evening.
The incident occurred just before 9 p.m. in the 1500 block of Clarendon Avenue SW. According to a press release issued by the Canton Police Department on Friday morning, officers responded to a call for a shooting at approximately 8:45 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered Dunn lying in a yard, suffering from a gunshot wound to the back.
In a desperate effort to save his life, officers immediately began CPR until medics from the Canton Fire Department arrived on scene. Dunn was quickly transported to Aultman Hospital, but despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead a short time later.
This sudden and senseless act of violence has devastated Dunn’s family and sent ripples of grief through the Canton community. Friends and loved ones remember him as a young man with a bright spirit and a kind heart, whose life was cut tragically short.
Canton police have identified Fortner as the prime suspect in the shooting. Arrest warrants have been issued for him on charges of murder and felonious assault. Authorities have not released additional details regarding the events that led up to the shooting or the relationship, if any, between Fortner and Dunn. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Law enforcement is now calling on the public for help in locating Fortner, who is considered armed and dangerous. His current whereabouts are unknown, and police are urging anyone who may have seen him or knows where he might be to come forward immediately.
Anyone with information related to Fortner’s location is asked to contact the Canton Police Communications Center at 330-649-5800 or the Canton Police Detective Bureau at 330-489-3144. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through local tip lines or crime reporting services.
As the city reels from this loss, the police have increased patrols in the surrounding areas and are working tirelessly to bring the suspect to justice. Canton Police Chief John Gabbard emphasized that public cooperation is critical in helping solve this case:
“We are doing everything in our power to locate this individual and bring him into custody. Our community’s safety is our highest priority, and we urge anyone with even the smallest piece of information to speak up.”
The tragic death of Stephon Dunn is another stark reminder of the devastating toll that gun violence continues to take in communities across the country. As family and friends prepare to lay their loved one to rest, the community remains united in calling for justice, peace, and an end to the cycle of violence.