According to Liberty County Sheriff’s lead Investigator Jeff Ashworth, it appears that what started out as a domestic argument over a cell phone escalated to the point where Shaun Ray Linkinhoker, DOB 8-20-95, of the Cleveland area was shot and killed by William Dean Snipes. The shooting occurred at approximately 2:30pm on Tuesday evening at Snipes residence on CR 3251 also in the Cleveland area of north Liberty County.
Preliminary investigation indicates that although Snipes and Linkinhoker are not blood related, the younger Snipes, DOB 12-30-95, considered Shaun Linkinhoker to be his “adopted uncle”. However, Investigator Ashworth said that according to witness statements that when this verbal confrontation began to escalate, it appeared that Linkinhoker became very aggressive to the point of attacking Snipes. It was at this point that Snipes shot Linkinhoker one time with a 40 caliber hand gun stricking Linkinhoker in the head.
Justice of the Peace Judge Ralph Fuller conducted the inquest and ordered an autopsy. Investigator Ashworth said that William Snipes was not arrested as this case will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s office for future consideration by a Grand Jury to determine if any charges will be filed.
