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@newtonsheriffga.org.
Conyers is about a 20-mile drive southeast from downtown Atlanta.
This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 4:19 PM with the headline "18-year-old dies after he’s shot at park during Senior Skip Day, Georgia deputies say."