Latest news with #JustinEtienne
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
Senior skip deadly shooting used as lesson in Newton County classroom sparking outrage
The Brief Newton County Schools halts a social studies assignment featuring the murder of Justin Etienne on March 19. The school system calls the current events lesson inappropriate. Newton County Schools says the teacher behind the assignment is not employed by the system but by a third party. NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. - A social studies lesson at Alcovy High School has alarmed students, parents, and loved ones of Justin Etienne, a child murdered just over a week ago at a senior skip day event in Newton County. The video of alarmed students has circulated across social media for days. It shows six questions about Etienne's murder posed to students. What we know Some of the questions in the assignment include: What event happened during the senior skip day event at Denny Dobbs Park? Who was involved in the event? Who was killed? Was Etienne a bystander? What are Jarvis Hinton Jr. and Tashawn Lyons facing? Any thoughts about this event?? What are people saying? Newton County Schools says the teacher was not an employee but a contractor through a third-party vendor due to a teacher shortage. What they're saying In a written statement, the district said: "An ill-advised warmup activity was given to students in a Current Events class at Alcovy High School. The task, which had not been reviewed or approved by administrative personnel, referenced the recent tragedy at Denny Dobbs Park. "Without reservation, we acknowledge that the teacher's actions were inappropriate and insensitive. While it may have been intended to facilitate a classroom discussion under the guise of current events, the topic should never have been used. As soon as school administrators were made aware of the situation, the activity was suspended, and an internal review was conducted. "We are currently addressing this issue directly with the staff member involved and will use this incident to ensure that greater care and discernment are applied when discussing sensitive topics in the classroom. Newton County Schools remains committed to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment for all students. "We extend sincere apologies to our students and to all who have been affected or hurt by this." SEE ALSO: Senior Skip Day shooting: 2nd teen arrested for murder of Rockdale County high school student Senior Skip Day shooting in Newton County: 16-year-old arrested 18-year-old killed at Denny Dobbs Park in Newton County identified The Source FOX 5's Kevyn Stewart spoke with those who knew Justin Etienne, a child murdered just over a week ago at a senior skip day event in Newton County, and the Newton County School District for this article.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Second teen suspect arrested in shooting death of 18-year-old on senior skip day
Deputies have arrested a second suspect in the deadly shooting of a high school senior at a Newton County park. Salem High School senior Justin Etienne died Wednesday after he was shot at Denny Dobbs Park while celebrating senior skip day. Deputies said the teen was an innocent bystander. Deputies arrested 16-year-old Jarvis Hinton Jr. on Friday. On Monday, the sheriff's office announced the arrest of 17-year-old Tashshawn Lyons. Deputies said that Lyons also attends Salem High School and was hurt while trying to run away from the shooting. He was taken to the hospital, but is now at the Newton County Detention Center. Both Hinton and Lyons have been charged with murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18 and reckless conduct. This is a developing story. We'll have the latest on Channel 2 Action News at 4:00 p.m. RELATED STORIES: Family remembers Salem High School senior shot and killed at park in Newton County 18-year-old killed in metro Atlanta park while celebrating Senior Skip Day, deputies say Police arrest teen in shooting death of 18-year-old at Newton Co. park on Senior Skip Day [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Yahoo
Senior Skip Day shooting in Newton County: 16-year-old arrested
NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. - A 16-year-old Newton High School student has been arrested in connection with a deadly shooting that took place during a Senior Skip Day gathering at Denny Dobbs Park on March 19. ORIGINAL STORY: 18-year-old killed at Denny Dobbs Park in Newton County identified What we know The Newton County Sheriff's Office (NCSO) identified the suspect as Jarvis Hinton Jr. of Covington. He is facing multiple charges, including murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18, and reckless conduct. Hinton is currently being held at the Newton County Detention Center. Authorities say the shooting resulted in the death of 18-year-old Justin Etienne. Investigators determined that several key witnesses, also students, initially provided misleading information about the events that unfolded at the park. Since the incident, investigators have executed search warrants, collected physical evidence, and worked through conflicting accounts to identify the suspect. What they're saying "This arrest demonstrates the continued dedication and commitment of our investigators," said Sheriff Ezell Brown. "The Office of the Sheriff is dedicated to seeking justice for the victim, Justin Etienne, and his family. My heart goes out to all his loved ones during this time." Sheriff Brown also warned against spreading misinformation. "Providing false information during an investigation is a crime and will lead to legal consequences," he said. "Our investigation will remain unaffected by what is said or shared on social media. We urge the community to avoid spreading negative or false narratives." The sheriff extended his thanks to the NCSO Criminal Investigations Division, Special Investigations Division, and Crime Analyst Unit for their work, as well as the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office, its School Resource Officer Unit, and the Newton County School System for their assistance. What's next The investigation is ongoing. According to the sheriff's office, the booking report and mug shot is not yet available for the suspect. At this time, it is unknown when the suspect will appear in court.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Police arrest teen in shooting death of 18-year-old at Newton Co. park on Senior Skip Day
Channel 2 Action News has learned that there has been an arrest in the shooting death of an 18-year-old at a Newton County park. Police said Jarvis Hinton Jr., 16, of Covington, is facing charges of murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, possession of a firearm by a person under the age of 18 and reckless conduct. Stay with and tune into Channel 2 Action News starting at 4 p.m. for the latest on this developing story. He's accused of killing Justin Etienne, 18, during a senior skip day event at Denny Dobbs Park on Wednesday. 'The successful arrest of this individual shows the continued dedication and commitment of our investigators,' Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown said. 'The Office of the Sheriff is dedicated to seeking justice for the victim, Justin Etienne, and his family. My heart goes out to all his loved ones during this time. Additionally, I want to remind the community that providing false information during an investigation is a crime and will lead to legal consequences.' TRENDING STORIES: Atlanta man held by Taliban for 2 years reunites with his wife in the U.S. Fulton Co. Courthouse offices on lockdown for package with unknown substance Construction worker dies after falling from 19th floor in downtown Atlanta
Miami Herald
20-03-2025
- Miami Herald
18-year-old dies after he's shot at park during Senior Skip Day, Georgia deputies say
A high school student died after shots were fired at an off-campus event, Georgia deputies said. The shooting happened just before 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, during what authorities called a Senior Skip Day gathering in Denny Dobbs Park, according to the Newton County Sheriff's Office. Deputies arrived to find a young man who had been shot, the office said in a news release. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, but died from his injuries. Authorities identified him as 18-year-old Justin Etienne, a student at Salem High School in Conyers. No other injuries were reported, deputies said. Rockdale County Public Schools said it was 'deeply saddened' by Etienne's loss. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the child's family and friends,' a district spokesperson told McClatchy News in a statement. 'We continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners in Newton County and Rockdale County as they investigate this event, which occurred after hours during a non-sanctioned activity,' the spokesperson said. Investigators said the event was attended by students from both Rockdale County and Newton County schools. Deputies didn't say what led to the shooting but called it an 'isolated incident' between Etienne and the gunman, who wasn't named. There's no evidence the incident was gang-related, authorities added. The sheriff's office didn't release additional details but said the shooting is under investigation. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Newton County Sheriff's Office investigators at 678-625-1589 or at 678-625-1419. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at anonymoustipline@ Conyers is about a 20-mile drive southeast from downtown Atlanta.
