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Newton High on brief lockdown after report of gun
Newton Lock Down
DeWayne Marcus Franco
Darryl Welch
Updated: Sep 16, 2017, 4:46 PM
Published: Sep 15, 2017, 5:09 PM

COVINGTON, Ga. – Newton High School was under a brief lockdown around 11:30 a.m. today after an anonymous tip that a student had a weapon on campus.

According to a statement from Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) spokesperson Sgt. Cortney Morrison, school administrators along with the School Resource Officer (SRO) went to the student’s classroom and the student fled from them to the rear parking lot.

Morrison said the student was apprehended by the SRO and arrested. She said while the student was attempting to evade arrest, he threw the weapon which was immediately recovered. The gun was reportedly run through the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) and it returned as stolen.

Morrison identified the student as 17-year-old DeWayne Marcus Franco. Franco was taken to the Newton County Detention Center where he is currently being interviewed by investigators.
Sheriff’s Office seeks help identifying suspected arsonist
arson suspect ncso
The suspect is believed to be a young Black male who is pictured wearing a pastel t-shirt, dark pants and white shoes. - photo by Courtesy of the Newton County Sheriff's Office
Kate Verity
Published: Mar 13, 2025, 8:24 PM

NEWTON COUNTY — The Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NSCO) is seeking the community’s help in identifying and gaining information regarding an arson suspect. 

According to the NCSO, on Friday, March 7 at around 2:30 p.m., the pictured individual is believed to have deliberately started a fire at the Silos Clubhouse.

The NCSO is requesting that residents of the Ellington Community check their cameras during the Friday afternoon time frame. Videos can be emailed to alberto@newtonsheriffga.org.

If anyone has any information regarding the case, including recognizing the suspected arsonist, call Investigator Alberto at 678-625-1429.

There is no information currently available about the fire itself or any damage it may have caused. The Covington News has reached out to the NCSO and Newton County Fire Services for more information regarding the incident.