Canton police officer who shot and killed a Minerva man in 2023 will not face charges

A Stark County grand jury has declined to indict a Canton police officer who shot and killed a Minerva man during a confrontation last December.

The grand jury’s decision, announced by the Stark County Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday, September 26, 2024, concluded that no criminal charges would be brought against Officer Garrett Marino in connection with the death of 24-year-old Zachary Fornash.

The incident occurred on December 5, 2023, in the 900 block of Alan Page Dr. SE. Officer Marino responded to a call around 10:00 p.m. after receiving reports of a man brandishing a gun during an argument. Upon arrival, the officer encountered Fornash, who witnesses said had been waving what appeared to be a firearm.

Body-worn camera footage released by the Canton Police Department shows Officer Marino ordering Fornash multiple times to drop the weapon. Despite the commands, Fornash turned towards the officer, prompting Marino to fire several shots. It was later determined that the weapon in Fornash’s possession was a pellet gun, not a firearm.

Emergency medical aid was provided on the scene by Canton Fire Department paramedics and responding officers, but Fornash succumbed to his injuries.

The release of body camera footage and other public records related to the shooting was part of an effort to maintain transparency in the aftermath of the incident. Officer Marino, an eight-year veteran of the Canton Police Department, had been placed on administrative leave following the shooting, in line with department policy and standard procedure in such cases.