Crime
Second Teen Arrested in Senior Skip Day Homicide at Newton County Park
Covington, GA – A second teenager has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a student at Denny Dobbs Park during a Senior Skip Day gathering last week, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday.
Tashshawn Lyons, 17, of Conyers, has been charged with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a minor, and reckless conduct.
Authorities revealed that Lyons, a student at Salem High School, sustained injuries while fleeing the scene and was hospitalized prior to his arrest.
He is currently in custody at the Newton County Detention Center.
This latest arrest follows the March 21 apprehension of Jarvis Hinton Jr., 16, of Covington, who faces identical charges.
Hinton is a student at Newton High School, according to officials.
Deputies responded to Denny Dobbs Park just before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 19, after receiving reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, they discovered Justin Etienne suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
During the investigation, authorities determined that multiple student witnesses provided misleading information regarding the events leading up to the shooting.
Initially, some statements falsely suggested that Etienne was involved in the altercation, but investigators confirmed that he was an innocent bystander when the shooting occurred.
Law enforcement officials worked through conflicting testimonies, executed search warrants, and gathered critical evidence, ultimately leading to the arrests of Hinton and Lyons.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Crime
Victims Identified in Deadly Robeson County Mass Shooting
Two Dead, 13 Injured in Mass Shooting at Large Party in Robeson County, North Carolina
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. — A late-night party in eastern North Carolina turned deadly early Saturday morning when gunfire erupted, leaving two people dead and 13 others injured, according to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Burnis Wilkins confirmed that deputies were called to the scene on Dixon Drive, just outside the town of Maxton, at approximately 3:00 a.m. following reports of a shooting at a large outdoor gathering attended by more than 150 people.
When deputies arrived, chaos had already unfolded — witnesses said over 150 individuals fled the area before law enforcement could secure the scene.
Authorities identified the deceased victims as Jessie Locklear and his son Nehemiah Locklear.
Several other victims sustained critical injuries and were transported to area hospitals for emergency treatment.
Sheriff Wilkins stated that, based on preliminary findings, the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the wider community.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from multiple agencies, continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence.
Detectives are working to determine the motive and identify all parties involved.
Authorities are urging anyone with information—or anyone who attended the gathering and witnessed the incident—to contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Investigators at 910-671-3100.
“We know there were many people present when this occurred,” Sheriff Wilkins said. “If you saw something or know something, we need you to come forward to help bring justice to the victims and their families.”