In a heartbreaking turn of events in Covington, Georgia, the community is reeling from the tragic loss of a young life cut short during what was meant to be a carefree celebration. Justin Etienne, a student whose future held untold promise, was fatally shot at Denny Dobbs Park last week during a Senior Skip Day gathering, an annual tradition for local high school students. The Newton County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday that a second teenager, Tashshawn Lyons, 17, of Conyers, has been arrested in connection with the killing, bringing a renewed wave of shock and sorrow to an already grieving town.
Lyons, a student at Salem High School, now faces a litany of serious charges, including murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a minor, and reckless conduct. Authorities disclosed that Lyons himself was injured while attempting to flee the chaotic scene that unfolded at the park. He was hospitalized for treatment before being taken into custody and is now being held at the Newton County Detention Center. The arrest follows closely on the heels of another, with 16-year-old Jarvis Hinton Jr., a student at Newton High School, apprehended on March 21 on identical charges. Together, the two teenagers are accused of perpetrating an act of violence that has left a permanent scar on their peers and the broader community.
The incident occurred just before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, when deputies rushed to Denny Dobbs Park after receiving frantic reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they found Justin Etienne gravely wounded, a victim caught in a moment of senseless brutality. Emergency responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where medical staff fought to save his life. Tragically, their efforts were in vain, and Etienne succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind a family devastated by grief and a student body struggling to comprehend the loss of one of their own.
As investigators pieced together the events of that fateful afternoon, they encountered a tangled web of conflicting accounts from student witnesses. Early statements suggested that Etienne may have been embroiled in the altercation that led to the shooting, but law enforcement officials have since clarified that he was an innocent bystander, uninvolved in the dispute that escalated into deadly violence. The misinformation initially provided by some witnesses complicated the investigation, forcing detectives to sift through contradictory testimonies to uncover the truth. Through diligent police work, including the execution of search warrants and the collection of crucial evidence, authorities were able to identify and apprehend the two suspects now in custody.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has emphasized that the investigation remains active, with efforts ongoing to ensure that all facets of the case are thoroughly examined. The arrests of Lyons and Hinton mark significant progress, but they also raise pressing questions about youth violence and the availability of firearms among teenagers in the area. Community leaders and residents alike are grappling with the sobering reality that a day intended for celebration ended in tragedy, prompting calls for greater support systems for young people and stricter measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.
For the students who gathered at Denny Dobbs Park that day, Senior Skip Day will forever be overshadowed by the loss of Justin Etienne. His death serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences that can arise in an instant. As the legal process moves forward, the focus remains on seeking justice for Etienne and providing closure for his loved ones, while a shaken community searches for ways to heal and protect its youth from further harm.