The 2015 Incident: At age 15, while attending Focus Learning Academy in Texas, Shilo Sanders allegedly elbowed security guard John Darjean in the chest and neck, leaving him with severe, permanent injuries, including cervical spine damage.
The Lawsuit and Judgment: Darjean sued in 2016, and in 2022, a Texas court entered a $11.89 million default judgment against Shilo after he failed to appear for the trial.

• Contradictory Claims: While the 2022 judgment sided with the security guard, Shilo has previously argued that he acted in self-defense, claiming Darjean "cornered" him and was the aggressor.
• As of May 2026, Shilo Sanders is facing a critical August 31, 2026, bankruptcy trial to determine if his $11.89 million debt to security guard John Darjean can be discharged, or if it stems from a "willful and malicious" 2015 assault. A judge recently allowed a trustee's lawsuit to proceed regarding $250,000 in unauthorized, pre-bankruptcy NIL transfers, marking a major legal setback for Sanders.
• Ongoing Legal Battle: The security guard, Darjean, is actively challenging the bankruptcy discharge, alleging that Shilo's actions were "willful and malicious". Darjean has also questioned the handling of Shilo's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings.
• Recent Developments: As of May 2026, legal proceedings are ongoing regarding the discharge of the debt, with a trial in the bankruptcy case set to determine if the injuries were caused willfully and maliciously.
• A USA Today investigation into the root of Shilo Sanders‘ bankruptcy case — spurred on by his father and Colorado coach Deion Sanders pushing for a “whole complete investigation on what truly happened” — has found that none of the five entities that investigated sided with Shilo.

  And four of the five entities found him to be at fault, with one not making a determination.