Newton County Sheriff’s Office arrests second teen in Denny Dobbs Park homicide

NEWTON COUNTY, GA–The Newton County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a second suspect in connection with the March 19 homicide during Senior Skip Day at Denny Dobbs Park.

The suspect has been identified as Tashshawn Lyons, 17, of Conyers. He 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.

 Lyons, a student at Rockdale County High School, was hospitalized before his arrest due to injuries sustained while fleeing the scene. He is now in custody at the Newton County Detention Center.

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The first suspect, Jarvis Hinton Jr., 16, a student at Newton High School, was arrested and charged with murder on March 21.

A large crowd of students from Newton and Rockdale counties were attending the Senior Skip Day celebration when the shooting occurred.

Following an intensive and thorough investigation, NCSO investigators determined that multiple key witnesses, all students, provided false information regarding the events that transpired during Senior Skip Day at the park. One of these false statements claimed that the victim, Justin Etienne, was involved in the altercation at the park. However, investigators have confirmed that Etienne was not involved in the altercation and was a bystander when the shooting occurred.

Investigators diligently worked through conflicting statements, executed search warrants, and gathered evidence leading to the identification and arrests of the two murder suspects.

Sheriff Ezell Brown and the Newton County Sheriff’s Office continue to extend condolences to the Etienne family. Additionally, Sheriff Brown extends his gratitude to the dedicated men and women of NCSO Criminal Investigations Division, Special Investigations Division and Crime Analyst Unit for their tireless efforts in solving this case. He also thanks the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, including its School Resource Officer Unit and Criminal Investigations Division, as well as the Newton County School System and its School Safety Officers for their assistance throughout the investigation.