Canton Manhunt: 18-Year-Old Malachi Fortner Wanted for Deadly Shooting of Stephon Dunn
CANTON, Ohio (May 9, 2025) — A tragic shooting in a residential neighborhood has prompted an urgent manhunt in Canton, where authorities are actively searching for 18-year-old Malachi Lee-Shawn Fortner, who is wanted in connection with the murder of 21-year-old Stephon Dunn.
The fatal shooting occurred on Thursday evening, May 8, in the 1500 block of Clarendon Avenue SW, a typically quiet residential stretch now marked by grief and uncertainty.
According to the Canton Police Department, officers were dispatched to the area at approximately 8:45 p.m. after multiple 911 calls reported the sound of gunfire. When officers arrived on the scene, they found Stephon Dunn lying unresponsive in a yard, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the back.
Police immediately administered CPR and other life-saving measures until medics from the Canton Fire Department arrived. Dunn was rushed to Aultman Hospital, where despite extensive efforts by medical personnel, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The death of Dunn, described by friends and neighbors as a “quiet, respectful young man,” has sent shockwaves through the community. As investigators began canvassing the scene and collecting evidence, leads quickly pointed them in the direction of Malachi Fortner.
Within hours of the incident, detectives with the Canton Police Department were able to secure arrest warrants for Fortner, who is now officially wanted on charges of murder and felonious assault.
Authorities have not yet publicly disclosed the motive behind the shooting or what relationship, if any, existed between the suspect and the victim. However, investigators have said that evidence gathered at the scene, as well as witness accounts, were sufficient to move forward with formal charges and initiate a full-scale search for Fortner.
As of Friday morning, Malachi Lee-Shawn Fortner remains at large, and law enforcement agencies throughout Stark County are on high alert. Police are cautioning that Fortner may be armed and dangerous, and anyone who sees him should avoid approaching and instead contact law enforcement immediately.
“This is a very active investigation, and we are using every available resource to locate and apprehend Malachi Fortner,” said a spokesperson for the Canton Police Department. “We are asking the public to be vigilant and report any information that could assist in bringing him into custody.”
Authorities are encouraging the public to report any sightings or tips regarding Fortner’s whereabouts. Information can be reported by contacting:
- Canton Police Communications Center: 330-649-5800
- Canton Police Detective Bureau: 330-489-3144
Those wishing to remain anonymous may also submit tips through:
- Tip411: Accessible via text or the city’s police website
- Stark County Crime Stoppers
Fortner is described as an 18-year-old Black male. No detailed physical description or last known clothing has been released to the public, but officials have indicated they are reviewing surveillance footage from the surrounding area to trace his movements after the shooting.
Residents in the Clarendon Avenue SW area expressed shock and concern in the aftermath of the incident. Some reported hearing multiple gunshots, while others said they saw a person fleeing the scene.
“I heard the shots, at least two or three,” said one neighbor who declined to be identified. “Then I saw someone running between the houses. I didn’t know what was going on until I saw the police lights.”
As the manhunt continues, the Dunn family is left grappling with a devastating loss. A relative, who spoke briefly outside the family’s home, described Stephon as a “good-hearted soul” who “didn’t deserve to die this way.”
Anyone with information is urged to act quickly and responsibly. Police say community involvement is often the most critical component in locating suspects and bringing justice to victims’ families.
More updates will be provided as more information becomes available.