Man seriously injured in recent Lexington shooting worked for the city, mayor says
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- Lexington city worker Stephon Vanzant was hospitalized after Sept. 18 shooting.
- Police charged Jon’Tay Mattingly in connection.
- Authorities continue searching for Jermaine Shanks, wanted in connection to incident.
The man seriously injured in a recent Lexington shooting worked for the city’s Division of Waste Management, according to Mayor Linda Gorton.
In a Thursday Facebook post, Gorton identified the man was Stephon Vanzant and said he has worked for waste management since August.
Vanzant was shot Sept. 18 in the area of Winburn and McCullough drives, near Russell Cave Road. Police previously said he was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Susan Straub, a spokesperson for the city, said Friday Vanzant was on duty and taking a break when the shooting occurred. Straub did not provide an update on his condition.
Jon’Tay Mattingly, 20, was arrested Sept. 19 and charged with first-degree assault, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief and tampering with physical evidence. Court documents say Mattingly was one of two shooters, and he alledgedly used a fully automatic handgun.
Police haven’t identified the other suspect, but said Jermaine Shanks, 20, has warrants out in connection with the shooting. He is wanted on charges of first-degree assault, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, first-degree wanton endangerment, first-degree criminal mischief and tampering with physical evidence.
Shanks remains at large, and people with information on his whereabouts are encouraged to contact Lexington police at 859-258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling 859-253-2020 or by submitting a tip on their website.
Mattingly is being held at the Fayette County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond for the assault charge, a $50,000 bond for the wanton endangerment charge and a $10,000 bond for the possession of a handgun by a convicted felon charge, according to jail records. He is scheduled to appear in Fayette District Court Monday for a preliminary hearing.
This story was originally published September 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM.
