FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director
Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
(813) 557-3366 | Erin.Maloney@sao13th.com
TAMPA, FL (September 27, 2023) — The State Attorney’s Office has successfully prosecuted Nahshon Shannon for the brutal 2017 murder of his own daughter. A jury found Shannon guilty of third-degree felony murder and child abuse following a nearly two-week long trial.
Witnesses testified that Shannon picked up his daughter from her mother’s residence on July 1, 2017, before her body was found in the Triple Creek Nature Preserve days later in a shallow grave. Investigators found critical evidence that tied Shannon to the crime. Tire impressions found near the body match the tires on the defendant’s vehicle. In addition, the type of bag and tape used to dispose of the victim’s body matches the tape and bag collected from the defendant’s car.
A soil expert also testified that the chemical makeup of the soil at the victim’s burial site was a match to soil found in the defendant’s car. Investigators also located a screw near the body that matched a shovel that was found in the defendant’s home, which also had a missing screw. When officers questioned Shannon and collected his cell phone for evidence, he remotely wiped the phone before investigators could examine it.
“The victim in this case was a child whose life was only beginning. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and friends as they navigate through this tragedy. Our prosecutors were presented with a challenging circumstantial case which they skillfully presented to jurors. We are thankful for the jury’s service and appreciate their time and dedication to this trial,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
Shannon now faces up to 20 years in prison for the crime. A judge will sentence him in November, at which point family members will be able to provide victim impact statements to the court.
If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence, our community is fortunate to have incredible resources for survivors and their children. The Spring of Tampa Bay has a 24-hour Crisis Hotline that victims can call or text: (813) 248-1050. Victims can take advantage of The Spring’s services by calling (813)-247-7233 or visiting www.TheSpring.org.
State Attorney Lopez leads a team of talented prosecutors and professional staff who are responsible for all criminal prosecutions in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The State Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping the public informed about the outcomes of major court cases to ensure transparency and accountability. We believe it is of utmost importance for the public to understand how our justice system operates in order to build trust. To learn more about the outcome of cases prosecuted in our office, you can follow us on social media:
- Twitter: @HillsboroughSAO, @SuzyLopezSA
- Instagram: @HillsboroughStateAttorney
- Facebook: @HillsboroughSAO
About the State Attorney’s Office
The State Attorney’s Office of the 13th Judicial circuit encompasses all of Hillsborough County, including the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City. The office staff consists of approximately 320 dedicated public servants including 130 prosecutors, as well as investigators, victim advocates, and support staff. The office handles approximately 50,000 cases every year. To learn more about the organization or apply to become part of the team, visit www.sao13th.com.