18-year-old killed at Denny Dobbs Park on Senior Skip Day identified

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. - The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting death of an 18-year-old on Wednesday. The shooting victim was identified on Thursday afternoon as Justin Etienne of Conyers. Etienne was a student at Salem High School. 

Deputies swarmed Denny Dobbs Park, across the street from Oak Hill Elementary School along Highway 212, following the shooting. 

What we know:

Deputies reported that there was a shooting at the location that occurred just before 5 p.m. 

An image shared by the sheriff’s office showed crime scene tape near the playground.

A sheriff's office spokesperson said an 18-year-old was shot in a wooded area. The teen was rushed to an area hospital where he or she was pronounced dead.

Officials are calling this an active investigation, stating, "It appears to have been an isolated incident and there’s no threat to the community," a spokesperson wrote to FOX 5.

A spokesperson for the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office says it is assisting with the investigation. The park is located less than 2 miles from the county line.

Most weekday afternoons, Denny Dobbs is a pickup spot for students for various schools.  A man who at the park before the shooting, and did not want to be identified, told FOX 5 Atlanta he saw lots of teens and cars, including some holding, what he described as plastic toy guns.

What they're saying:

"My son had plans," said Tierra Taylor, his mother. "He was planning on graduating, going to college, an all that token from him."

"When y'all killed my son, you killed a part of me," she added.

Zoe Harrison, who says someone got stabbed at her senior skip day two years ago, is not sure the event can continue as is. "People find senior skip day as, ‘I'm going to get my opp day because no teacher can stop me from fighting.," said Harrison. "If cops there's not cops around ,then we should not have it anymore."

What we don't know:

Multiple parents and concerned citizens have contacted FOX 5 to say teens were in the park as part of a "Senior Skip Day." Officials would not immediately confirm that information, but on Thursday, they said the shooting took place during a large gathering of students from Newton and Rockdale counties as part of skip day. 

It was not clear how many shots were fired.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office investigates a shooting at Denny Dobbs Park, across the street from Oak Hill Elementary School along Highway 212 on March 19, 2025. (Newton County Sheriff’s Office )

The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, but the Newtown County Sheriff's Office says it appears to have been an isolated incident between the shooter and the victim and there is no evidence suggesting gang involvement or danger to the community.

What's next:

The shooter remains at large. Investigators have not released a name or description.

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has relevant information to come forward. Parents are encouraged to speak with their children to determine if they were present during the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Dunston at 678-625-1589 or Lt. Bill Watterson at 678-625-1419. Anonymous tips, videos and social media posts can also be submitted via our tip line at anonymoustipline@newtonsheriffga.org or crimeanalyst@newtonsheriffga.org.