WALTON COUNTY GRAND JURY INDICTS DOCTOR IN OPERATING‑ROOM DEATH OF ALABAMA MAN; THOMAS SHAKNOVSKY ARRESTED IN WALTON COUNTY
WALTON COUNTY, FLA— A physician is behind bars in Walton County after a Grand Jury indictment connected to the operating room death of an Alabama man.
The Office of the State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit announced that a Walton County Grand Jury has returned an indictment charging Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky with second-degree manslaughter in the August 2024 death of a 70‑year‑old man from Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
The indictment follows an extensive investigation conducted by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the Office of the State Attorney First Judicial Circuit and additional state and medical authorities.
On August 21, 2024, during what was scheduled to be a laparoscopic splenectomy, Dr. Shaknovsky removed the victim’s liver instead of his spleen, resulting in catastrophic blood loss and the patient’s death on the operating table.
The Grand Jury found probable cause to charge that the actions taken in the operating room constituted criminal conduct under Florida law.
“Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor,” said Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “The Grand Jury has spoken, and our responsibility is to ensure the charges are carried out through the proper legal process. Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family and their unspeakable loss.
“We are committed to seeing this case through with the professionalism and integrity our community expects.”
Dr. Shaknovsky was taken into custody in Miramar Beach on Monday morning and was transported to the Walton County Jail, where he awaits first appearance.