Willie Shanks was 60 when he was fatally shot in Hayneville, Alabama, on the evening of January 6, 2018. A Black man known affectionately as Shank, he was a local entrepreneur and a Central High School alumnus remembered for a positive, outgoing personality. The shooting also left another person injured.

In the days after his death friends, family, and neighbors gathered to mourn, lighting 131 candles and sharing memories. His sister Ines and others expressed profound loss. No arrests or suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the killing, and the circumstances of the shooting remain unresolved.

If anyone knew Willie, witnessed the shooting, or has information that could help bring answers, please come forward.