In the late afternoon of Friday, May 30, 2025, a family dispute in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, escalated to a tragic and fatal conclusion. The incident, which unfolded around 1:55 p.m. near the intersection of East 9th Street and Dewey Street, claimed the life of 63-year-old Timothy Shanks, a Black/African American male. An altercation between two male family members turned violent, resulting in gunfire.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, and Shanks was found to have sustained a gunshot wound. He was quickly transported to a local hospital for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Timothy Shanks ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. The Hattiesburg Police Department immediately began an investigation into the shooting, treating it as a homicide.
In the hours that followed the deadly encounter, investigators with the Hattiesburg Police Department identified a suspect in the case. An active warrant was issued for the arrest of 61-year-old Michael Bernard Shanks, a relative of the victim. Authorities located and arrested him, booking him into the Forrest County Jail. Michael Shanks has been charged with First Degree Murder in connection with the shooting death of his family member. During his initial court appearance, he was denied bond. Law enforcement officials have characterized the shooting as an isolated incident, assuring the public that there is no ongoing threat related to this case.
