Newtown Pike Homicide Investigation Suspect Arrested

via Lexington Police Department news release

UPDATE: JAN 28, 2025: One person has been arrested in connection with the December 26, 2024, shooting death of Maurice Elliot on Newtown Pike. 

Shawn Blanks, 54, was arrested on January 28, 2025, and charged with Murder and Possession of a Handgun by Convicted Felon in connection with the homicide. He is currently being held at the Fayette County Detention Center. 

During the investigation, detectives were able to identify Blanks as the suspect using investigative techniques and assistance from the department’s Real-Time Intelligence Center. 

Blanks was Bluegrass Crime Stoppers Most Wanted Person of the Week on January 15, 2025.

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JAN. 15, 2025: A suspect has been identified in the December 26, 2024, shooting death of Maurice Elliot. 

On Thursday, December 26, 2024, at 1:56 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Newton Pike for a shooting with a victim. When officers arrived, they located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Maurice Elliot, 62. 

During the investigation, detectives were able to identify Shawn Blanks, 54, as the suspect with assistance from the department’s Real-Time Intelligence Center and Fusus network. He has an active warrant for Murder and Possession of a Handgun by Convicted Felon in connection with the homicide. 

Blanks was Bluegrass Crime Stoppers Most Wanted Person of the Week on January 15, 2025. He is 5’11” tall and around 152 pounds. 

Anyone with knowledge or information about Shawn Blanks’s whereabouts is asked to call Lexington Police at (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020,  or online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com

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DEC. 26, 2024: The Lexington Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred today. 

On Thursday, December 26, 2024, at 1:56 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 400 block of Newton Pike for a shooting with a victim. When officers arrived, they located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a local hospital where they succumbed to their injuries. Detectives from the Personal Crimes Section are continuing to investigate.

The Fayette County Coroner’s Office will release the deceased victim’s name. 

Investigators are asking anyone with information about this case to call Lexington Police at (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020, online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com, or through the P3 Tips app at www.p3tips.com.

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via Lexington Police Department news release

https://www.lexingtonky.gov/news/newtown-pike-homicide-investigation-suspect-arrested