Crime
18-Year-Old Killed in Shooting at Denny Dobbs Park During Senior Skip Day
NEWTON COUNTY, GA – Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon at Denny Dobbs Park.
The Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) confirmed that an 18-year-old male, identified as Justin Etienne, succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during the incident.
The shooting took place between approximately 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. at the park, which was a gathering location for students participating in Senior Skip Day.
Reports indicate that students from two Rockdale County schools and one Newton County school had initially met at a park in Rockdale before relocating to Denny Dobbs Park.
It is unclear at this time whether the victim was a student.
The NCSO has not yet identified any suspects or determined a motive for the shooting. The case is now being treated as a homicide.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing first responders assisting potential victims, but the full scope of the incident remains under investigation.
As a precautionary measure, nearby Oak Hill Elementary School was placed on lockdown following the shooting.
The lockdown was lifted later in the evening, and students in the after-school academic program were dismissed at 6:00 p.m.
Authorities have assured the public that this was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
The investigation remains active, and anyone with information is urged to contact the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.